Ant and Dec lead tributes as Emmerdale star Dale Meeks dies age 47

ok.co.uk:

Former Emmerdale actor Dale Meeks has tragically passed away aged 47. Dale appeared on the ITV soap as Simon Meredith from 2003 until the character's departure from the Yorkshire Dales in 2006.

He also had roles in Byker Grover, Heartbeat and most recently The Hunt for Raoul Moat. According to the Mirror, the actor's death was announced by a relative on Facebook who posted: "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. "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." Dale's former Byker Grove co-stars Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have also penned a tribute to the actor on Twitter, writing: "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." And fellow South Tyneside actor Stephen Sullivan shared that the news has left him "heartbroken." 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.