The devastated brother of Emmerdale star Dale Meeks last night revealed that his sibling was ‘profoundly unwell and unable to cope’ before his death aged 47.
Meeks played Simon Meredith on the long-running ITV soap between 2003 and 2006 after establishing his career on legendary teen drama Byker Grove alongside Ant and Dec.
The actor’s sudden death was revealed over the weekend by a member of his family on Facebook.
In an emotional tribute on Instagram, his brother Philip Meeks wrote how he ‘tried so desperately’ to help The Hunt For Raoul Moat star, who he claimed had been battling with ‘undiagnosed conditions’.
He added: ‘Dale was profoundly unwell and unable to cope and undiagnosed conditions in men in their forties are killers.
‘Dale was let down by those who should have seen beyond his ability to act and recognise his pain.’
Emmerdale star Dale Meeks, 47 (pictured) was ‘profoundly unwell’ before his death, his brother Philip announced on Instagram.
Philip Meeks claimed his brother’s death certificate will say he died of ‘heart failure’ but said he would be fundraising for mental health charity, Mind. He added: ‘The little boy I grew up with left me. I care for him so deeply… I will never get over his death.’
Former Coronation Street star Denise Welch, who stared alongside Meeks in Byker Grove in the early 1990s, was moved by Philip’s tribute to her co-star on Instagram.
News of Meeks’ death broke over the weekend, sparking an outpouring of grief from fans across social media, with Ant and Dec leading the tributes.
Announcing the tragedy in a statement, a member of Meek’s family said: ‘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.’
In a tribute on Twitter, Ant and Dec, 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 the arch nemesis of the Byker ‘Grovers’! A sad loss at such a young age. RIP Dale. Sleep well bonny lad.’
