I’m A Celebrity’s Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly have paid tribute to Dale Meeks.
The trio worked together on CBBC show Byker Grove.
Dale’s death was first reported on Sunday (April 23) after is family confirmed his passing on Facebook.
READ MORE: Emmerdale star Dale Meeks dies aged 47 as family recall his ‘heartbreaking final hours’
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”.
(Image: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Dale’s death was announced in a message which 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.
“The support of Dale’s friends has been so incredibly strong over these chaotic, heartbreaking final hours, I can only stand in awe.”
Tributes have since been made online by his friends, family and fans.
“Unbelievably sad,” one said.
While another wrote: “So sad a lovely lad and great character.”
A third said: “Oh gosh, I’m so sorry to hear this. Sending you all loads of love xxx.”
Someone else penned: “It hasn’t sunk in yet and today has been somewhat of a blur. Dale, you will be dearly missed, you had a heart as big as your talent and a sense of humour and laugh bigger than both!”
Dale famously played Simon Meredith on the popular ITV soap Emmerdale from 2003 and 2006.
(Image: Mirrorpix)
Simon was romantically linked to Nicola King (Nicola Wheeler) but left the village for anew live in Costa Rica.
Actor Dale also starred in Byker Grove as the leader of a gang from rival youth club Denton Burn for five series and played Hips in the BBC series Breezeblock.
He previously toured the UK with the musical Chicago and appeared in the West End production of Love Never Dies.
He can be seen in the upcoming series of George Gently as Panda and was recently on our screens in an episode of ITV’s The Hunt for Raoul Moat in a starring role, which aired just last week.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
