SAD NEWS: Ant and Dec “devastated” after Emmerdale star’s de@th at just 48
He was a much-loved TV star, who had appeared in some of the most popular programmes on the small screen before his tragic de@th at the age of just 48
He was a beloved television personality who featured in some of the nation’s most popular programmes before his untimely de@th at just 48 years old.
Born in South Shields, Dale Meeks started his showbiz career with an appearance in the BBC children’s drama Byker Grove. He played Greg, the head of the Denton Burn youth group, who served as direct rivals to the main characters in the beloved series.
His career would flourish, successfully making the leap from child performer to adult actor, with his most recognised role being Simon Meredith in the ITV soap Emmerdale.
In the programme, Simon, a fishmonger, engaged in a turbulent romance with Nicola Blackstock before their relationship collapsed and he moved to the sunny shores of Costa Rica with his best friend in 2006.
Beyond his screen work, Dale excelled as a stage performer, taking roles in The Producers, Chicago and A Christmas Carol, alongside a West End staging of Love Never Dies, reports the Daily Star.
He was also a gifted singer and, partnering with fellow Emmerdale actor Mark Charnock, triumphed in ITV’s Stars in Their Eyes Celebrity Special performing as the Blues Brothers.
His additional credits included appearances in Casualty, Inspector George Gently and the Tracey Beaker spin-off The Dumping Ground.
Dale’s final performance came in The Hunt For Raoul Moat, an ITV drama depicting the distressing true-life incident. Tragically, however, Dale passed away from heart failure at South Tyneside Hospital in April 2023.
He was just 48 and had been due to mark his 49th birthday on the same day as King Charles’ Coronation.
In a heartbreaking tribute, his brother, Philip, said: “My heart is broken.”
Dale’s former Byker Grove co-stars, Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, were amongst the first celebrities to pay their respects. In a joint statement, they said: “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 arch nemesis of the Byker ‘Grovers’! A sad loss at such a young age. RIP Dale. Sleep well bonny lad.”
Emmerdale cast members also rushed to pay tribute. Nick Miles, who plays Jimmy King in Emmerdale, said: “Such sad news. He was a lovely generous man. RIP.”
Charlie Hardwick, who played Val Pollard in Emmerdale at the same time Dale was playing Simon, said: “I’m very saddened by this dreadful news. I liked Dale so much and loved working with him. He was a funny, sweet, very talented gentle giant.”
Former Coronation Street actor and Family Fortunes presenter Les Dennis, who had appeared alongside Meeks in pantomime at the Sunderland Empire, added: “He was great company and so talented. Thoughts with his family and friends.”
Liberty X singer Michelle Heaton, who also performed alongside Dale in pantomime, said: “He made me and my then-husband Andy (Scott-Lee) feel so welcome and had been a regular at panto throughout many years and just made us feel really welcome and at ease. It’s a real shame that we’ve lost him.”
Beyond his stage and screen work, Dale also co-authored a play centred on South Shields FC’s FA Vase triumph over Cleethorpes Town in 2017.
After his passing, the club posted on social media: “Everyone at SSFC was saddened to learn of the de@th of Dale Meeks. Dale co-wrote Everywhere We Go, the popular play based on our journey to FA Vase success in 2017. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this very difficult time.”
