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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Zoe Delaney

Emmerdale's Dale Meeks' poignant final post makes fans emotional after shock death at 47

Dale Meeks shared an update with his fans regarding his latest TV role just days before his untimely death.

Fans have been replying to the poignant tweet Dale posted last week following the actor's death being announced on his official Facebook page over the weekend.

The late actor, who had parts in Emmerdale and Byker Grove, sadly passed away at the age of 47, with his family sharing a heartbreaking announcement on Facebook on Sunday.

Britain's Got Talent hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly led the tributes to Dale as the news of his death broke, remembering their former co-star as "the loveliest of guys".

Dale had been a recognisable on both the stage and screen for decades, with him appearing in an episode of The Hunt for Raoul Moat in a starring role, which aired just last week.

As the first episode of the ITV drama premiered, Dale took to his Twitter account to share an article about his 'dark role' with his 616 followers.

Dale first appeared on TV as a youngster alongside Ant and Dec on Byker Grove (BBC)
The late actor shared this picture with his followers on Twitter as his latest TV role aired last week (dalemeeks/Twitter)

The late star went on to reveal how he watched the show - sharing a picture of the back of a blue door displaying signs titled 'Room 9' and 'Male' visible from the inside of the room Dale was in.

He wrote in the caption: "Superb article. 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."

The final tweet from Dale now acts as a place for fans and friends to leave messages of love for the late actor following his death, with one writing: "Goodbye my friend. I’m heartbroken by your loss but so f***ing proud to have known you."

Another wrote: "Sleep easy, Dale pet. You were and always will be, one of the rare diamonds of the North East. heartbreaking."

The late actor posing with his Emmerdale co-stars on the set of the ITV soap in 2005 (ITV Network)

Dale's death was announced by a family member on Facebook on Sunday night.

The post from the relative 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."

The post continued: "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."

Ant and Dec took to Twitter to pay their respects to their former Byker Grove co-star as the news broke.

Dale regularly appeared on the small screen (ITV Network)

The Geordie duo, who played PJ and Duncan on the programme, tweeted: "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," followed by a praying hands emoji.

In addition to The Hunt For Raoul Moat and Byker Grove, Dale appeared in Emmerdale between 2003 and 2006, where he played Simon Meredith on the popular ITV soap

The late actor also won a celebrity version of Stars in Their Eyes alongside Mark Charnock as they appeared as the Blues Brothers.

Dale enjoyed cameos in Casualty, drama series Inspector George Gently and even had a role in Tracey Beaker spin-off The Dumping Ground as a custody sergeant throughout his career as an actor.

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