Emmerdale star Andy Devine who played iconic Shadrach Dingle has died at the age of 79.
The actor, who was best known for his iconic role in the ITV soap, passed away in January.
The news of his sad death has emerged today.
Andy, born Peter Devine, played feisty Shadrach on and off between 2000 and 2010.
Public records confirm that Andy died on January 27.
His cause of death has still not been confirmed.
He made his Emmerdale appearance in 2010 when his loveable character was killed off in an emotional alcohol abuse storyline.
Andy also starred as a Draconian Guard in several episodes of the Doctor Who story Frontier in Space, as well as Bernard in Channel 4's Queer As Folk.
Tributes have poured in for the late actor since the news of his death has emerged.
One Twitter user penned: "Gone too soon. What a legend. RIP Andy Devine."
"So sad to hear about Andy Devine," another added.
Meanwhile a third penned: "When I think of Emmerdale, I think of him."
He brought the character of Shadrach to life, the down-and-out was a favourite with the ITV show's fans.
He was the husband of Faith Dingle and father of Chas Dingle and Gennie Walker, and was often involved in near-misses in nearly a decade on the soap.
Shadrach, a heavy drinker most of his life in the programme, eventually died in 2010.
His beloved character was killed off in an emotional July episode which saw him tragically drown in a stream on the Dales as part of a harrowing alcohol abuse storyline.
An autopsy later revealed Shadrach would have succumbed to a ruptured liver within hours because of his drinking problem had he not drowned first.
The actor had a long career, which saw him serve in the Royal Navy in the 1960s.
Later, he becoming a classical actor before turning his hand to the soaps.
