Dale Meeks' brother Phillip has spoken out on his late brother's 'wonderfully bonkers' life, after being left greatly moved by the 'outpouring of love' for the actor, following his death at the weekend at the age of 48.
News of the Emmerdale and Byker Grove star's passing was announced via a Facebook post from a relative on Sunday afternoon, with them writing: "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."
Dale's family member added: "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."
READ MORE Dale Meeks cause of death revealed as 'heart failure' as actor passes away at 48
Stars of stage and screen rushed to pay tribute to Dale, who died from 'heart failure' at South Tyneside District Hospital on Saturday, with Ant and Dec leading the tributes to him, as they fondly remembered their time with him on Byker Grove.
And now Phillip, who on Sunday, said he was 'heartbroken' by Dale's death, has now issued a full statement, saying: "My brother Dale Meeks died this weekend. He lived a wonderfully bonkers life and had a vast circle of friends. He brightened up many lives and the outpouring of love we have witnessed celebrating him has been very moving and greatly appreciated.
"He was talented, sharp witted, hilariously lied about his age and was obsessed with The Blues Brothers"
Fellow actor Phillip added: "He made an impressive body of work throughout his acting career which included everything from West End musicals, soap operas, sitcoms, TV dramas, leading his own blues band and touring pantomimes to church halls. I am immensely proud of his achievements.
"His life was regrettably short but like his idol John Belushi he never saw himself as making old bones. And never one to be upstaged he was not looking forward to sharing his birthday with the Coronation. The birthday obviously wasn't the one he told everybody it was. I will miss him so very much.
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