TV star Dale Meeks shared a heartbreaking final post before he died aged 47.
The actor, whose passing was announced on Sunday night, tweeted a picture of a door telling fans this was where he’d be watching his latest TV series, The Hunt for Raoul Moat.
Superb article. Sadly watching tonight's episode from this equally mysterious and sinister location. It's fantastic to feel the love. Thanks gang. Keep it coming xxx pic.twitter.com/aRkcFdEpOs
— Dale Meeks (@dalemeeks) April 17, 2023
He wrote in the caption: “Sadly watching tonight’s episode from this equally mysterious and sinister location.
“It’s fantastic to feel the love. Thanks gang. Keep it coming xxx.”
The picture, the back of a door, displayed signs titled ‘Room 9’ and ‘Male’.
Dale was well-known for his role in Byker Grove as a gang leader alongside Ant and Dec, and for playing Simon Meredith on the soap Emmerdale from 2003-2006.
He most recently appeared in ITV’s The Hunt for Raoul Moat as the killer’s friend Rory Sutcliffe.
But his brother Philip Meeks says the actor was “unable to cope” before his death as family members tried to help him with “undiagnosed conditions”.
In a heartbreaking post, he wrote: “The little boy I grew up with has left me.
“I tried so desperately to help him. It will say heart failure on the death certificate. But we’ll be collecting [money] for Mind Charity.
“Dale was profoundly unwell and unable to cope and undiagnosed conditions in men in their forties are killers.
“Dale was let down by those who should have seen beyond his ability to act and recognise his pain. I will never get over his death.”
Ant and Dec were quick to pay tribute to the star as the news broke.
The presenters wrote in a tweet on their joint account: “We are so incredibly sorry to hear the very sad news of Dale’s passing.
“He was the loveliest of guys, even though he was a Denton ‘Burner’, the arch nemesis of the Byker ‘Grovers’! A sad loss at such a young age. RIP Dale. Sleep well bonny lad.”
We are so incredibly sorry to hear the very sad news of Dale’s passing. He was the loveliest of guys, even though he was a Denton ‘Burner’, the the arch nemesis of the Byker ‘Grovers’! A sad loss at such a young age. RIP Dale. Sleep well bonny lad 🙏https://t.co/2NIG6AtI2i
— antanddec (@antanddec) April 23, 2023
While co-star Nick Miles, who plays Jimmy King in Emmerdale, added: “Such sad news. He was a lovely generous man. RIP.”
Fans are now leaving tributes below Dale’s last tweet.
One wrote: “Goodbye my friend. I’m heartbroken by your loss but so f***ing proud to have known you.”
Another said: “Sleep easy, Dale pet. You were and always will be, one of the rare diamonds of the North East. heartbreaking.”
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 in 2005.
Outside of TV Dale toured the country in the cast of Chicago and also had a role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Love Never Dies.
He was also the frontman of South Tyneside blues act Shake Your Tail Feather.
Dale’s death was announced by a family member on Facebook.
The post 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.
“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, heart-breaking final hours, I can only stand in awe.”
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