Emmerdale’s Dale Meeks dies age 47 as Ant and Dec lead tributes for actor

'The loveliest of guys'

The actor's death was announced by his family on Facebook Sunday.

The post from the relative read: "So unbelievably sad. Brother in Law, mucca, side kick and just the BEST friend a lad could have wished for. RIP Dale Meeks. So much less to laugh about now you're not there to share it with."

The post continued: "Thanks everyone for all the beautiful messages and memories you have been sharing. The support of Dale's friends has been so incredibly strong over these chaotic, heartbreaking final hours, I can only stand in awe."

Meeks recently starred in ITV drama The Hunt for Raoul Moat and played the character Simon Meredith in Emmerdale between 2003 and 2006

He also starred in the teen TV drama series Byker Grove as Greg, the leader of a gang from rival youth club Denton Burn.

The show launched the careers of a host of stars, including presenting duo Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly who paid special tribute to Meeks on Sunday.

News of Meeks’s death was broken by a family member on Facebook on Sunday afternoon.

From their joint Twitter account the pair wrote: "We are so incredibly sorry to hear the very sad news of Dale's passing. He was the loveliest of guys, even though he was a Denton 'Burner', the arch nemesis of the Byker 'Grovers'! A sad loss at such a young age. RIP Dale. Sleep well bonny lad."

Stephen Sullivan shared a touching tribute as he wrote: "Dale Meeks was an inspiration to me, watching the band when I was younger, watching him perform on stage, seeing him on the telly box and working with him. He was such a talent. He had so much more to give. He was loved and respected more than he knew. The last time I worked with him was an absolute joy."

Stephen added: "It hasn’t sunk in yet and today has been somewhat of a blur. Dale, you will be dearly missed, you had a heart as big as your talent and a sense of humour and laugh bigger than both!" Meanwhile, more tributes poured in on Twitter, as one fan wrote: "Sad news. Has just appeared in #TheHuntforRaoulMoat & also a former @Emmerdale actor. RIP #DaleMeeks".

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