Former Coronation Street star Daniel Brocklebank has paid tribute to actor Sam Neill following his sudden death at the age of 78. Brocklebank shared a photograph of the pair together on the set of the 1998 television miniseries Merlin, in which Neill played the title role and Brocklebank portrayed a younger version of the character.
Sam Neill's Death Confirmed
Neill, the Northern Ireland-born New Zealand actor best known for playing Dr. Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park franchise, died in Sydney, Australia, on Monday, July 13. His family confirmed the cause of death as pneumonia, noting that he had been declared cancer-free months earlier after treatment for an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosed three years prior.
In a statement, Neill's family said he died "surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life." They added: "The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer-free."
Tributes from Co-Stars
Tributes poured in from fellow actors, including Jurassic Park co-stars Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum. Dern said: "Sam was my beloved lifetime friend… He showed me the depths of loyalty, protectiveness, and love, always with the driest of wit. He was a true and noble gentleman, wrapped up in my dream leading man. I will love you forever, Dr. Alan Grant." Goldblum added: "The next great adventure begins. Love, always and forever."
Neill was also widely recognized for his portrayal of Major Chester Campbell in the first two seasons of Peaky Blinders.
Daniel Brocklebank's Tribute
Brocklebank, who played the role of Billy Mayhew on Coronation Street, shared a picture of himself with Neill on Instagram. Alongside the image, he wrote: "Very sad to hear that the wonderful Sam Neill has passed away. I was lucky enough to work with him (and play a younger him) in Merlin back in the late 90's."
Earlier this year, Brocklebank's character Billy Mayhew met a tragic end during a special crossover episode between Coronation Street and Emmerdale, dubbed Corriedale, in which a minibus carrying wedding guests burst into flames following a crash.
