Emmerdale fans will doubtless be pleased to know that Steve Halliwell has vowed to remain with the show and his role as Zak Dingle, “For as long as they want me.”

Speaking to Inside Soap about his nomination for an award in the magazine’s forthcoming ceremony, Steve began by saying, “I’ll be playing dad Dingle for as long as they want me!

“It’s been great to be one of the Dingles since day one. They’ve made a little bit of television history.

“They’ve also created a lot of jobs for actors because there have been so many of us!”

And of his Inside Soap Award nomination in the category of Best Actor for Zak’s breakdown storyline, Steve said, “It’s lovely – it’s quite a few years since I was nominated for anything…

“Back in 2002, when I got a nod at the British Soap Awards for the testicular cancer storyline, I got lots of letters saying more men were going to get checked.

“With Zak’s breakdown, viewers have said we’re showing that even big, tough men can suffer from mental illness.

“So if it helps people, it can only be a good thing.”

Also making news from the dales today is the blossoming romance between Chas Dingle (Lucy Pargeter) and Dan Spencer (Liam Fox) which we see getting off to a strong start tonight as the couple get close during Paddy and Rhona’s wedding reception.

Here’s a sneak peek from tonight’s episode…

Ooo, I wonder if Chas and Dan could be the “most unlikely of couples” who are set to get married during the show’s 40th anniversary episodes?!