Steve: They can't kill Zak Dingle

Emmerdale star Steve Halliwell has said he would be "devastated" if Zak Dingle was killed off.

One of the soap's cast is set to die during the live episode later this month and the 58-year-old actor, who has played the loveable farmer for 18 years is sure it won't be him.

Steve said: "I'd be devastated. You've got financial commitments, and you get to a certain age where you don't want to go back to square one. Personally I'd be devastated if they killed Zak. "

But Tony Audenshaw, who has played barman Bob Hope for 12 years insisted he wasn't worried about being bumped off.

He said: "It's fine, it's all part of being in a soap. I only came for three months, so I'm just glad I'm here now. No one owes us a living."

The pair both appear in the live episode but are not allowed to see the full script to help keep the plot top secret.

Steve said: "We're only shown bits so it doesn't leak out."

John Middleton, who plays vicar Ashley Thomas, confessed everyone is nervous about performing live.

He said: "We've all admitted we're having the classic actor's nightmare of waking up, you're on stage, you don't know what the play is, no one's given you a clue, and you can't get across to the prompter's corner."