Emmerdale co-star couple Mark Jordon and Laura Norton have paid tribute to their showbiz colleague, photographer David Longstaffe, who has passed away at the age of 60.
Heartfelt Tributes on Social Media
The couple, who are engaged and have two children together, shared their sadness on social media, remembering Longstaffe as a "dear friend." Laura, 42, and Mark, 61, posted a picture of David along with a long message honoring his memory.
"Today we lost a dear friend @david_longstaffe. For many people David was a photographer. To us he was so much more than that," they wrote.
How They Met
The couple revealed that they first met Longstaffe at an OK magazine photoshoot, and they quickly became close friends. David frequently offered his help for their charitable work related to Usher Syndrome, a condition affecting their children, Jesse and Ronnie.
Usher Syndrome is a rare genetic condition that causes dual sensory loss, typically a combination of hearing and vision loss.
David's Generous Spirit
They added: "David had a gift of making everyone feel like they belong there. He put people at ease instantly and never missed a moment. Behind the scenes he worked tirelessly, delivering incredible images with incredible speed and professionalism, helping our event run smoothly while creating memories that will last forever. His photographs helped shape the identity of the ball and the wider Cure Usher story."
They expressed feeling "incredibly lucky to call him our friend," describing him as fascinating, generous, and kind, with an enormous heart. "Laura and I will always be grateful for the friendship he showed us, and everyone at Cure Usher is thankful for the role he played in helping our charity grow. His contribution went far beyond taking photographs. He helped us tell our story."
They concluded by sending love to his wife, Sharon, and his family: "Our thoughts today are with Sharon, who stood beside him through it all, often giving up her weekends to support the work too. The love they shared was obvious to everyone who met them. We send Sharon and all of David's family our love at this incredibly sad time. Thank you, David, for your friendship, your generosity and the countless moments you captured for us all. You will be greatly missed, but never forgotten."
Laura's Personal Message
Laura also added her own tribute: "Beautifully said Mark. I still cannot believe this devastating news. Heart broken. What an unbelievably generous soul. He gave so much wanting nothing in return. The love and friendship he showed Mark and I and then our babies when they arrived. He devoted so much time and energy to the charity and I'll miss his beautiful spirit so much."
About Mark and Laura
Mark Jordon joined Emmerdale in July 2014 as Daz Spencer, a role he reprised in August 2017 as a regular until January 2019. He later made a brief return in December 2024. Laura Norton joined Emmerdale in 2012, playing Kerry Wyatt, and the couple married in 2015. They announced their first pregnancy in August 2020, and Laura gave birth to a son in January 2021.
Mark is also known for playing PC Phil Bellamy in ITV's Heartbeat from 1992 to 2007.
