”The Producers” and ”Emmerdale” star Dale Meeks has died aged 48

Stage and screen actor Dale Meeks has died aged 48, it has been announced.

Meeks was a regular presence on stage, appearing in the Royal Exchange’s critical hit production of The Producers in 2019, in the role of Franz. Previously, he twice appeared in Nikolai Foster’s production of A Christmas Carol in Birmingham and Leeds, and played the role of Amos in the touring production of Chicago. Other performances include The Flint Street Nativity at the Hull Truck Theatre.

On TV, appearances included The Hunt for Raoul Moat, Casualty and series regular Simon on Emmerdale.

Tributes flooded in across social media, with Byker Grove co-stars Ant and Dec tweeting: “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.”

Dianne Pilkington added: “Dear dear lovely friend Dale Meeks. You were so kind, funny and loved. A terrible shock and loss.”

Performer Peter Polycarpou said: “I am so sorry to read this awful news. Dale was such a gorgeous man to work with and s huge part of our wonderful cast of A Christmas Carol. My deepest condolences to his family.”

According to ITV, Meeks died from heart failure on Saturday night at South Tyneside Hospital.