Emmerdale's James Hooton, who portrays Sam Dingle, emotionally reminisced about his late co-star Steve Halliwell on Loose Women, discussing their upcoming storyline and honoring Halliwell's iconic role as Zak Dingle. Halliwell, a beloved actor who passed away in December 2023, will be respectfully remembered in a dedicated storyline starting filming next month. Hooton, a veteran of 30 years on Emmerdale, expressed his deep friendship with Halliwell, while viewers were surprised by Hooton's real-life accent on the show. The tribute to Halliwell received applause from the audience and panel, highlighting the impact of his enduring legacy on the show and the emotional connection felt by the cast and fans.