Where is Emmerdale's Tina Dingle now? Jacqueline Pirie's new career after quitting soap

Emmerdale is preparing to say goodbye to Zak Dingle (played by Steve Halliwell) this week after the character's death was confirmed in a heart-wrenching scene on Monday (October 14). The devastating news left his son (Jeff Hordley) with the difficult task of informing his siblings and other family members about their father's passing.

In a poignant montage set to classical music, Cain broke the news to Belle (Eden Taylor-Draper) and Sam (James Hooton) that their father had died at his home in Scotland earlier that day.

The Dingles are now organising a funeral in the Dales to bid farewell to their patriarch. However, one Dingle has yet to learn about her father's death - Tina Dingle.

Jacqueline Pirie, now known as Chadwick, who previously starred in Emmerdale, played the role of Tina on the popular ITV soap from 1994 to 1996, and fans still remember her cunning character fondly.

Tina, the daughter of Zak and his wife Nellie Dingle (Sandra Gough), first appeared in the village in December 1994. Known for being brash, intelligent, and scheming, Tina saw herself as an outsider.

But when she secured a job at Home Farm working for Frank Tate (Norman Bowler), she attempted to adopt a more glamorous lifestyle. Her most memorable storyline occurred in 1995 when she planned to wed Luke McAllister (Noah Huntley) after claiming she was pregnant with his child, reports .

However, the storyline took a tragic turn when Luke discovered their relationship and pregnancy was a sham, part of a twisted revenge plot, which ended with his death in a van crash. Tina bid farewell to the village in 1996.

Fast forward two years and Jacqueline graced our screens once again, this time on Coronation Street. For five years, she portrayed Linda Sykes, becoming a Weatherfield favourite.

Her character, a factory worker, is remembered for her passionate affair with Mike Baldwin (Johnny Briggs), before she exited the soap in 2001.

So, where is Jacqueline now?

Born in Scotland and raised in Birmingham, Jacqueline, now 50, first found fame on the ITV soap as Tina Dingle.

These days, however, she leads a quieter life as an author. The mother-of-two is happily married to Simon Chadwick, and they live with their children in Canada.

Residing in Vancouver, the former soap star now writes under the name Jacqueline Chadwick and has gained recognition for her gripping crime novels. She has penned three thrillers so far: In The Still, Briefly Maiden, and Silent Sisters.

Each book revolves around her ex-pat character Ali Dalglish, a former forensic psychologist turned housewife who finds herself entangled in murder investigations.

In addition to her writing career, Jacqueline is also a successful entrepreneur, having established several drama schools, including the Jacqueline Chadwick Academy of Performing Arts.