Emmerdale's Shadrach Dingle actor Andy Devine dies aged 79

dailystar.co.uk:

Emmerdale star Andy Devine has passed away aged 79.The actor played loveable rogue Shadrach Dingle on the ITV soap. He died in January but his death has just been announced.Public records have confirmed the actor passed away on January 27.

His cause of death has not yet been publicly revealed.Andy, born Peter Devine, played Shadrach on and off from 2000 - 2010.He exited Emmerdale officially in 2010, with his beloved character killed off in an emotional July episode which saw him tragically drown in a stream on the Dales as part of a harrowing alcohol abuse storyline.An autopsy later revealed Shadrach would have succumbed to a ruptured liver within hours because of his drinking problem had he not drowned first.Previously, Andy had starred in a handful of episodes of Coronation Street as a radio DJ called Jason Ross.He also portrayed played Betty’s wedding photographer on the rival ITV soap.Away from the soap world, Andy made appearances in projects including Russell T Davies' Queer As Folk.He played Bernard Thomas in ten episodes of the groundbreaking Channel 4 series from 1999 - 2000.He also appeared in several episodes of the Doctor Who special Frontier in Space in 1973 and made his final TV appearance in 2011 in an episode of Doctors.Before acting, Andy served in the Royal Navy.He later trained as a classical actor, becoming a public figure with his famous Emmerdale role.Paying tribute to the actor as news of his passing spread, fans shared their sorrow on social media.One fan wrote: "Saddened to learn that Andy Devine has died.

What an actor (and character). 'Oooh me cans'."Another said: "Rip Shadrach Dingle."This is a breaking showbiz story and is being constantly updated.