South Tyneside star's death at the age of 48. News of his death was broken by a family member on Facebook on Sunday afternoon, in a 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 relative 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. "Dale had been a recognisable face on stage and screen for the last three decades; starring alongside Ant and Dec in Byker Grove in the 90s, before being a very familiar face in soapland as Simon Meredith in Emmerdale.
Another one of Dale's memorable TV appearances came as he and his Emmerdale co-star Mark Charnock won Celebrity Stars in their Eyes as the Blues Brothers, with Dale also being the frontman of South Tyneside blues act Shake Your Tail Feather.
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