SO SAD as Emmerdale Star Des Tragically d!es Aged 48 After an Emotional Final Role
‘Gentle giant’ Emmerdale star’s tragic death at just 48 after poignant final role
He was a much-loved TV star who appeared in some of the most popular programmes on the small screen before his tragic death at the age of just 48
Dale Meeks in Emmerdale (Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
He was a beloved television personality who had featured in some of the most watched shows on British screens before his untimely passing at just 48.
Born in South Shields, Dale Meeks started his entertainment career with in the BBC children’s drama Byker Grove. He portrayed Greg, the head of the Denton Burn youth group, direct competitors to the characters in the cherished Byker Grove.
He would subsequently enjoy a stellar career, making the leap from child performer to adult actor and was most recognised for his portrayal of Simon Meredith in the ITV soap Emmerdale.
In the soap, Simon, a fishmonger, experienced a turbulent romance with Nicola Blackstock before their relationship collapsed and he relocated to the tropical beaches of Costa Rica with his closest friend in 2006.
Beyond his television work, Dale was also a distinguished theatre performer, featuring in The Producers, Chicago and A Christmas Carol, alongside a West End staging of Love Never d!es, reports the Daily Star.
He was just 48 when he d!ed (Image: ITV / HELEN TURTON)
He was also a gifted singer and, together with fellow Emmerdale actor Mark Charnock, he triumphed on ITV’s Stars in Their Eyes Celebrity Special as the Blues Brothers.
His other credits included appearances in Casualty, Inspector George Gently and the Tracey Beaker spin-off The Dumping Ground.
Dale’s last role was in The Hunt For Raoul Moat, an ITV drama depicting the distressing real-life incidents. Tragically, in April 2023, Dale passed away from heart failure at South Tyneside Hospital.
Dale’s character had a turbulent relationship (Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
He was just 48 and had been preparing to mark his 49th birthday on the very 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 honour the actor’s memory. 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 stars also swiftly offered their condolences. 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 during the same period Dale portrayed 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.”
The late Dale Meeks as Simon Meredith in Emmerdale (Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Former Coronation Street actor and Family Fortunes presenter Les Dennis, who shared the stage with 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.”
Dale Meeks in Byker Grove (Image: undefined)
Beyond his stage and screen work, Dale also co-authored a play chronicling 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 death 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.”
