Emmerdale and The Hunt For Raoul Moat star Dale Meeks has died aged 47, his family confirmed on Sunday.
The popular actor played Simon Meredith on the long-running ITV soap between 2003 and 2006 after establishing his career on legendary teen drama Byker Grove alongside Declan Donnelly and Ant McPartlin.
His death, the cause of which is yet to be announced, was confirmed by a family member on Facebook, after which the presenting duo led a flood of tributes across social media.
It 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.’
‘Thanks everyone for all the beautiful messages and memories you have been sharing.
Devastating: Emmerdale star Dale Meeks has died aged 47 as heartfelt tributes have begun pouring in
‘The support of Dale’s friends has been so incredibly strong over these chaotic, heartbreaking final hours, I can only stand in awe.’
Friends, family and fans shared emotional tributes in the comment section, with one penning: ‘Unbelievably sad.’
Another said: ‘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!’
A third said: ‘Oh gosh, I’m so sorry to hear this. Sending you all loads of love xxx.’
Another commented: ‘RIP Dale great actor in television and theatre.’
One shocked fan added: ‘Wow only just watched him on the hunt for Raoul Moat, far too young.’
Another said ‘wow what is going on, RIP #DaleMeeks, heartbreaking’ along with a crying face emoji.
Ant and Dec, who starred alongside Dale in Byker Grove, have also taken to social media to pay tribute to the actor.
They wrote on Twitter: ‘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.’
Dale’s pal Stephen Sullivan wroteon Instagram: ‘Such sad news today. 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.
‘Craig Richardson, Dale and myself made these little green screen films in lockdown with Danielle Mendes and at a tough time we had such a laugh, usually at my expense and inability to hold a tune… even to Drunken Sailor.
‘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! Love you big man.’
Geordie actor Meeks, who began his acting career appearing in Byker Grove, appeared in an episode of The Hunt for Raoul Moat, which aired just last week.
He tweeted about his role in the new series, which told the story of one Britain’s most infamous manhunts, in which the shotgun-wielding brute killed his ex-girlfriend’s lover before shooting her and a police officer.
Alongside a picture of a door, he wrote: ‘Sadly watching tonight’s episode from this equally mysterious and sinister location. It’s fantastic to feel the love. Thanks gang. Keep it coming xxx’
