Dale Meeks publicly thanked fans for their support, telling them to 'keep it coming,' just days before his death, as viewers were delighted to see him back on TV in ITV's true crime drama about Raoul Moat.
The death of much loved South Shields born entertainer and soap actor Dale, 48, was announced by a family member on Sunday afternoon, in a Facebook post that 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."
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."
Like many North East actors of the era, Dale got his first slice of TV fame in Byker Grove in the early 90s, starring opposite Ant and Dec as a member of rival youth club Denton Burn. Dale then saw his profile rocket when he was cast as Simon Meredith in Emmerdale, with him also appearing in Inspector George Gently and Casualty.
READ MORE: Dale Meeks dies at 47 as tributes pour in for Emmerdale and Byker Grove star
Away from the screen, Dale appeared in musicals Chicago and Love Never Dies and was a firm favourite on home turf as frontman man of blues act Shake Your Tail Feather, with him also putting his singing talent to good use alongside Emmerdale co-star Mark Charnock, when the pair won Celebrity Stars in their Eyes as The Blues Brothers.
But it was TV that Dale was to make his final appearance, 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."
One of Dale's friends replied in the comments thread of his post, after news of his death broke on Sunday, writing: "Sleep easy, Dale pet. You were and always will be, one of the rare diamonds of the North East," with another pal replying: "Goodbye my friend. I’m heartbroken by your loss but so f**king proud to have known you"
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