Emmerdale legend and ex-Corrie star Meg Johnson has died aged 86. A joint statement release by her family, talent agency Jorg Betts Associates, and ITV Emmerdale announced her death and said she was a 'kind and wonderful lady' who 'always had a twinkle in her eye'.
Meg had played Pearl Ladderbanks in Emmerdale since 2003, and continued on the soap despite battling with dementia in recent years. In a long career spanning six decades, she also played Eunice Gee in Coronation Street, and Brigid McKenna in Brookside.
Following her death, a number of heartfelt tributes flooded in from fellow stars, who described the 86-year-old actress as 'talented, warm and funny'.
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A joint statement announcing her death said: “It is with great sadness that we announce that actress Meg Johnson passed away peacefully yesterday evening surrounded by her family.
“Meg was a kind and wonderful lady, full of warmth and always with a twinkle in her eye. Meg had an outstanding career that ended with her playing Pearl Ladderbanks in Emmerdale from 2003.
“Meg had dementia for the last few years, but battled on personally and professionally regardless. She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.”
Following her death, Actor Michelle Hardwick, who played Vanessa Woodfield on Emmerdale, said: “Meg was absolutely one of a kind. A talented, funny, warm lady who everyone adored. I’m so very grateful I got to spend so much time with her. Thoughts to all her family. Love you Meg, rest in peace.”
Former Emmerdale star Gemma Oaten, who played Rachel Breckle from 2011 to 2015, said Meg Johnson was 'a beautiful woman inside and out' as she tweeted: “Sending so much love to the @emmerdale family and family of the late and great Meg Johnson. A beautiful woman inside and out, who was always so kind to me during my #Emmerdale days. I’m sure Shirley, Freddie, Richard and Co will take good care of her up there. RIP lovely Meg x.”
As Samantha Giles, known for portraying the role of Bernice Blackstock on Emmerdale, added: "So sad to learn of lovely Meg Johnson’s passing, who played the glamourous Pearl in Emmerdale. She was such fun and I particularly remember her famous saying when she got her lines wrong; ‘oh pig’s bum’. You will be missed xxx.”
