Ant and Dec lead tributes to Byker Grove co-star Dale Meeks after he died aged 48

Ant and Dec have led the tributes to their former Byker Grove co-star Dale Meeks, who sadly passed away over the weekend.

Dale, who starred as the leader of rival group Denton Burn in the hit BBC drama, died aged 48 on Saturday (22 April) of 'heart failure', according to his brother Philip.

The actor then went on to play Simon Meredith on Emmerdale from 2003 to 2006.

BBC

Announcing the devastating news of his passing, Dale's brother Philip noted that he was due to turn 49 on the day of the King's coronation.

"My heart is broken," he admitted.

Paying tribute to their late co-star Ant and Dec released a joint statement on Twitter.

"We are so incredibly sorry to hear the very sad news of Dale’s passing," it read.

"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."

Responding to Ant and Dec's tribute, Philip told PA: “That’s absolutely lovely.

“I sort of remember meeting them as kids myself. [Dale] was in Byker Grove, he made one of them blind, not in real life.”

ITV

Nick Miles, who starred alongside Dale in Emmerdale as Jimmy King, also paid tribute to the late actor, writing: "Such sad news. He was a lovely generous man. RIP."

News of Dale's passing first broke on Facebook, after a family member announced the news.

"So unbelievably sad. Brother-in-law, mucca, side kick and just the BEST friend a lad could have wished for. RIP Dale Meeks," the post had read.

"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, heartbreaking final hours, I can only stand in awe."

Dale, from South Shields, had most recently appeared on television just last week on ITV's The Hunt for Raoul Moat.

ITV

Elsewhere in his career, Dale had been a regular on the stage, starring in productions like Chicago, A Christmas Carol, The Producers, and a West End production of Love Never Dies.

His singing talents also saw him with ITV's Stars in their Eyes Celebrity Special alongside Mark Charnock.

Dale's other credits included roles in Casualty, Inspector George Gently, and Tracey Beaker spin-off series The Dumping Ground.

Topics: Ant McPartlin, Declan Donnelly, Ant and Dec, Celebrity