Emmerdale fans were left devastated on Thursday night as much-loved character Lisa Dingle tragically passed away in her sleep. The harrowing death came during the ITV soap's double episode, which saw Lisa, played by Jane Cox, tie the knot with her beloved Zak Dingle. But in a heartbreaking twist, the character died in the closing moments, leaving her new husband in pieces. Tragic: Emmerdale fans were left devastated on Thursday night as much-loved character Lisa Dingle tragically passed away in her sleep. Fans of the long-running soap already knew that Lisa was dying of a heart condition, after returning to the Dales earlier and revealing to her loved-ones that she had months left to live. The episode started off light-hearted as Lisa and her bridal party hilariously chased from pigs who had escaped from a farm. Despite the chaos, the character made it down the aisle, albeit very muddy, and met her husband-to-be. Zak, portrayed by Steve Halliwell, had an emotional moment as he fled from the church and admitted to Lisa that he hadn't written his vows and couldn't find the words to respond to her moving vows. Gone too soon: In a heartbreaking twist, the character died in the closing moments, leaving her new husband in pieces. Heartbreaking: The harrowing death came during the ITV soap's double episode, which saw Lisa, played by Jane Cox, tie the knot with her beloved Zak Dingle But after some encouraging words from his beloved, the happy tied the knot once more in front of friend s and family, in what was a bittersweet moment. Later, The Dingles descended upon the Woolpack pub where they joyously toasted the newlyweds. Vowing to make the most of her time left and not swell on on the inevitable, Lisa defiantly told party goers: 'smilers can stay, and frowners can flipping well go somewhere else!' Romantic: Despite the earlier chaos, the character made it down the aisle, albeit very muddy, and met her husband-to-be Heartfelt: Zak had an emotional moment as he fled from the church and admitted to Lisa that he hadn't written his vows and couldn't find the words to respond to her moving vows Unaware: Thinking she was simply napping, Zak told the family dog Monty just how lucky he was to have Lisa in his life, and revealed plans to make every minute she had left special She later popped home, where she planned to change out of her mucky dress and pick up Zak's wedding present. But in a devastating twist, as Lisa died on the sofa as Zak returned home to walk his wife back to the pub. Thinking she was simply napping, Zak told the family dog Monty just how lucky he was to have Lisa in his life, and revealed plans to make every minute she had left special. Shock: Lisa passed away on the sofa after popping home to change her dress and retrieve Zak's wedding present Devastating: However, he soon discovered that she had in fact passed away, with Zak sobbing: 'Oh no, this is too soon. This is too soon, Lisa' However, he soon discovered that she had in fact passed away, with Zak sobbing: 'Oh no, this is too soon. This is too soon, Lisa.' Emmerdale fans shared Zak's devastation that she died way too soon, as they soon took to Twitter to air their distress at the long-running character's death. 'Emmerdale you have broken me. Goodbye Lisa #Dingle #dinglewedding #Emmerdale,' wrote one viewer. While another declared: '#Emmerdale really know how to get you in the jugular don't they.... RIP Lisa.' 'Nooooo this was way too soon #Emmerdale' wrote a third emotional watcher. A fourth said: 'I am honestly heart broken at #Emmerdale brilliantly written and the most moved I've ever been at an episode. Emotional wreck rn.' With another adding: 'I’m broken poor lisa it was too soon #Emmerdale.' Crushed: Emmerdale fans shared Zak's devastation that she died way too soon, as they soon took to Twitter to air their distress at the long-running character's death Earlier this week, actress Jane Cox revealed the reason she decided to leave the soap, stating that she wants to 'do things [she] didn’t have time to do.' The 67-year-old actress spoke candidly with the Daily Mirror on Tuesday, and said the six-days-a-week filming schedule meant she didn't 'have time in the evening' to do anything except learn her lines. She explained to the publication: 'It is long, long days and then you don’t have time in the evening because you have lines to learn for the next day. 'I decided that this is going to be my time to do things I didn’t have time to do. I still feel about 20-odd, but in 20 years I will be 87, and there are other things in life that I want to explore.' It's time: Earlier this week, actress Jane Cox revealed the reason she decided to leave the soap, stating that she wants to 'do things [she] didn’t have time to do' Admitting that if she hadn't 'left now [she] never would', Jane added: 'Life is such an exciting thing, you never know what is around the corner. It was a big decision but I know it is the right thing.' Jane has starred as the Dingle veteran on the hit ITV soap for 23 years after joining Emmerdale in 1996. Emmerdale fans were left heartbroken in March after they discovered that Lisa was being killed off after discovering she had a terminal heart condition. In the emotional scenes, which marked International Women’s Day, Lisa met up secretly with her niece Charity Dingle in Scotland as she shared her devastating diagnosis. Emmerdale continues on weeknights at 7pm on ITV. Busy schedule: Jane explained that the the six-days-a-week filming schedule meant she didn't 'have time in the evening' to do anything except learn her lines All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility