Dale Meeks' brother Phillip has revealed that the much loved actor died of 'heart failure,' just weeks before his 49th birthday.
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 dies at 47 as tributes pour in for Emmerdale and Byker Grove star
As soon as news of Dale's death was public, tributes started pouring in for the South Shields born star, from those who'd watched him perform and starred alongside him on home turf and from many others in the entertainment industry.
Dale's heartbroken brother Phillip has now told PA that Dale died of 'heart failure' at South Tyneside district hospital, with him was due to turn 49 on the day of the King’s coronation, with sibling and fellow actor adding: "My heart is broken."
Just days before his death, Dale was seen back on TV, with his final appearance being, as a rather sinister character, Rory Sutcliffe in ITV's The Hunt for Raoul Moat. The three part series about the Newcastle killer made its debut just last weekend, with Dale seen on screen in the first and second episodes.
And, as Twitter was full of excited tweets about making a return to primetime TV, Dale acknowledged the support for him, in a tweet which read: "It's fantastic to feel the love. Thanks gang. Keep it coming."
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