Emmerdale actress Meg Johnson has died aged 86.
The ITV soap paid tribute to the star - who played Pearl Ladderbanks since 2003 - and hailed her as "kind and wonderful" in a joint statement with her family.
The statement read: “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.”
Danny Miller, best known for playing Aaron Dingle in Emmerdale, tweeted: “Truly devastated to hear this. Pearl was a fair way to describe our lovely Meg. The creator of ‘pigs bum!!’ – should she ever forget her lines, and a loved soul throughout the building. Shared many laughs with her and Dominic on set.”
Actress Lisa Riley, aka Mandy Dingle in Emmerdale, said Meg taught her “discipline, respect, comedy, and how not to take life to (sic) seriously.”
Lisa tweeted: “God bless you Meg. Those many many many days at OTW with David, you taught me so much, discipline, respect, comedy, and how not to take life to (sic) seriously.
“You are the true meaning of the words-wonderful woman. your energy lives on, because you were so very special. R.I.P. Meg.!
Samantha Giles, known for portraying the role of Bernice Blackstock on Emmerdale, said Meg Johnson was “such fun”.
The actress tweeted: “So sad to learn of lovely Meg Johnson’s passing, who played the glamorous Pearl in Emmerdale. She was such fun and I particularly remember her famous saying when she got her lines wrong; ‘oh pig’s bum’.
She added: “You will be missed xxx.”
Gemma Oaten - who also appeared on the ITV soap as Rachel Breckle from 2011 to 2015 - added: "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."
Devastated fans also flocked to pay tribute, with one writing: "RIP Meg, she was a wonderful actress and was fabulous as Pearl. Always glamorous, and always had heart. Lovely lady, my thoughts are with her family."
While another commented: "Heartbreaking news Thinking of Megs family and friends at this sad time thank you for legendary Pearl she was a fantastic character xx."
A third wrote: "So HEARTBREAKING! I Loved Her In Emmerdale As Pearl. She'll Be Sorely Missed. R.I.P Meg."
"So sorry to hear this..Meg was a great actress ..sending love & hugs to all her family & friends," another commented.
Meg's flamboyant and loud character Pearl made a huge impression when she first rocked up in the Dales back in 2003, branded a "trollop" by Edna Birch.
She went on to be involved in a number of big storylines, including the appearance of her rapist son and his shock death, and her various rocky relationships. More recently, she was a receptionist at the local vets and worked with Paddy and Rhona.
In January 2020, Pearl moved to a static caravan in Demdyke to gain some independence.
Meg also starred in two roles in Coronation Street - as Brenda Holden in 1976 and Eunice Gee from 1981 until 1999. One year later, she appeared on Brookside as Brigid McKenna until 2003, when she was cast in Emmerdale.
She was also part of the cast of Victoria Wood As Seen On TV alongside the late comedian as well as Dame Julie Walters and Celia Imrie.
In 1997, she took to the stage in the original cast of the London revival of Chicago, playing prison warder Matron Mama Morton for more than a year, and can be heard on the London Cast Recording of Chicago, singing When You’re Good To Mama, Me And My Baby, and Class.
The sad news of her death comes just months after that of her TV presenter husband, who also appeared in Corrie and Emmerdale.
Charles Foster rose to fame on North West's Granada TV channel in the 70s, 80s, and 90s and more recently provided the voiceover on ITV's Judge Rinder show.
Paying tribute to Charles in February, Granada Reports' producer Rob Jaskowski said: "Charles was such a nice person. I remember being star stuck on my first day at Granada on work placement in 1984 when I sat with him in the canteen at Quay Street.
"He was great to chat with and a true inspiration. Condolences to his family and friends."
