Dale Meeks, the actor best known for playing Simon Meredith in ITV's Emmerdale, has died at the age of 48. He passed away from heart failure at South Tyneside Hospital in April 2023, just before what would have been his 49th birthday on the same day as King Charles' Coronation.
Early career and Byker Grove
Born in South Shields, Meeks began his entertainment career in the BBC children's drama Byker Grove. He played Greg, the head of the Denton Burn youth group, who were direct competitors to the Byker Grove characters.
Emmerdale fame
Meeks later rose to fame in the ITV soap Emmerdale as Simon Meredith, a fishmonger who had a turbulent romance with Nicola Blackstock before relocating to Costa Rica with his closest friend in 2006. Beyond television, he was a distinguished theatre performer, appearing in The Producers, Chicago, A Christmas Carol, and the West End production of Love Never Dies.
He was also a gifted singer and, together with fellow Emmerdale actor Mark Charnock, won ITV's Stars in Their Eyes Celebrity Special as the Blues Brothers.
Other credits and final role
His other credits included Casualty, Inspector George Gently, and the Tracey Beaker spin-off The Dumping Ground. His last role was in The Hunt For Raoul Moat, an ITV drama about the real-life incidents. Meeks also co-authored a play chronicling South Shields FC's FA Vase triumph over Cleethorpes Town in 2017.
Tributes pour in
His brother Philip said: "My heart is broken." Former Byker Grove co-stars Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly said in a joint statement: "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."
Emmerdale star Nick Miles, who plays Jimmy King, said: "Such sad news. He was a lovely generous man. RIP." Charlie Hardwick, who played Val Pollard, said: "I'm very saddened by this dreadful news. I liked Dale so much and loved working with him. He was a funny, sweet, very talented gentle giant."
Former Coronation Street actor and Family Fortunes presenter Les Dennis, who shared the stage with Meeks in pantomime at the Sunderland Empire, added: "He was great company and so talented. Thoughts with his family and friends." Liberty X singer Michelle Heaton, who also performed alongside him in pantomime, said: "He made me and my then-husband Andy (Scott-Lee) feel so welcome and had been a regular at panto throughout many years and just made us feel really welcome and at ease. It's a real shame that we've lost him."
South Shields FC posted on social media: "Everyone at SSFC was saddened to learn of the death of Dale Meeks. Dale co-wrote Everywhere We Go, the popular play based on our journey to FA Vase success in 2017. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this very difficult time."
