Ant and Dec are among those leading tributes to Emmerdale, Byker Grove and The Hunt for Raoul Moat star Dale Meeks following his tragic death aged 47.
The actor's death was announced by a family member on Facebook. He previously played a gang leader of a rival youth club on the CBBC show and later appeared as Simon Meredith in ITV's Emmerdale.
More recently, he starred in The Hunt for Raoul Moat, as Moat's friend Rory Sutcliffe. The ITV Drama hit the screens recently, with Meeks appearing in an episode of the hit series just last week.
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He tweeted about his role in the new series, which tells the story of one Britain's largest manhunts, in which murderer Raoul Moat killed his ex-girlfriend's new lover before shooting her and a police officer.
Following his death, Ant and Dec wrote in a tweet on their joint account: "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".
Actor Stephen Sullivan shared his own 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."
Announcing his death on social media, a post by a family member 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."
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