A coroner has confirmed Emmerdale actor Andy Devine died from "hospital-acquired pneumonia" after an accidental fall.
The 79-year-old was renowned for his role as Shadrach Dingle on the long-running ITV show. Andy played Shadrach on Emmerdale on and off for 10 years between 2000 and 2010.
The actor, whose real name was Peter Devine, died at Southport Hospital on January 27, but his death has only just been announced this week. Sefton Senior Coroner said the soap star appeared to have "lost his balance resulting in a fall".
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Julie Goulding added: "He was unable to get up until his carers arrived to assist him which was about an hour later.
"Peter had a significant number of serious underlying clinical co-morbidities and not withstanding all appropriate care and treatment, Peter's condition deteriorated culminating in his death."
The medical cause of his death was determined as "hospital acquired pneumonia" and the cause of his death was concluded as "accident", the coroner added.
Tributes flooded in from Andy's co-stars after his death was confirmed. Liam O'Brien, who played Ethan Blake in Emmerdale for three years, said: "Heartbroken to hear of the passing of an old friend.
"Even sadder that he passed in January and never knew. I was by the sea now when heard the news and Andy Devine was a sailor through and through. Gods rest ye pal. Second star to the right. Straight on 'til morning."
Four Lives actor Daniel Jillings said: "Such sad news! Often thought about Andy, he was my first drama teacher and a great one. A character both on and off screen."
Emmerdale airs weekdays at 7.30pm on ITV and the ITV Hub - apart from this week, which sees a change to the schedule
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