Byker Grove legend's tragic death at just 48 with Ant and Dec 'heartbroken'

Dale Meeks, a South Shields-born actor known for roles in Byker Grove and Emmerdale, has died aged 48 from heart failure, multiple reports say. He began acting as a child on the BBC children’s drama Byker Grove, playing Greg at the Denton Burn youth club. Meeks later became widely recognized as Simon Meredith in ITV soap Emmerdale. Beyond television, he also performed in theatre productions including The Producers, Chicago and A Christmas Carol, and appeared in a West End staging of Love Never Dies, according to the Daily Star. His final acting credit included ITV drama The Hunt For Raoul Moat. Tributes came from Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, among others.