Andy Devine, the beloved Emmerdale actor who played Shadrach Dingle for over eight years, died at the age of 79 following an accidental fall at his caravan home in Southport. His death in 2022 was ruled an accident, with the cause being hospital-acquired pneumonia.
A cherished member of the Dingle family
Devine was one of the most beloved faces on ITV's Emmerdale, portraying the loveable rogue Shadrach Dingle from March to December 2000 and again from March 2002 until July 2010. He featured in some of the Dingle family's most outrageous storylines, making his first appearance at his nephew Butch's funeral, where he was so inebriated that he nodded off in the church.
Many of the plots featuring Shadrach centred on his fondness for alcohol and his idle nature. Yet in 2007, his drinking actually proved useful. He had been hiding in the church vestry, consuming the communion wine, when Laurel went into labour, reports the Daily Star. Unaware that Laurel (and Shadrach) were inside, the church doors had been locked, and in a frantic attempt to summon medical help for his fellow villager, Shadrach rang the church bells and remained with Laurel until her baby son, Daniel, was delivered.
Fondness for alcohol sealed his fate
He forged a deep connection with the youngster and was overjoyed when asked to serve as the baby's godfather. Yet it was ultimately his fondness for alcohol that would seal Shadrach's fate. He was written out in July 2010 after collapsing into a river and drowning while attempting to retrieve some beer cans he had dropped.
Andy had chosen to depart the soap at 68 upon deciding to retire, though he did make a reappearance in a flashback to Cain's childhood in November 2017. As well as Emmerdale, Andy had appeared in other television and film productions including Z-Cars, The Girl From Tomorrow, Coronation Street, Dockers and An Angel for May. He also featured in a 2011 episode of the BBC daytime soap, Doctors.
Death and tributes
After retiring, Andy relocated to Ocean Road Riverside Caravan Park in Southport until his tragic death. Sefton Senior Coroner, Julia Goulding, stated the soap star appeared to have "lost his balance resulting in a fall". She said: "He was unable to get up until his carers arrived to assist him which was about an hour later. Peter had a significant number of serious underlying clinical co-morbidities and not withstanding all appropriate care and treatment, Peter's condition deteriorated culminating in his death."
His Emmerdale colleagues were swift to pay tribute to the beloved actor. Liam O'Brien, who portrayed Ethan Blake in Emmerdale for three years, said: "Heartbroken to hear of the passing of an old friend. Even sadder that he passed in January and I never knew. I was by the sea when I heard the news and Andy Devine was a sailor through and through. Gods rest ye pal. Second star to the right. Straight on 'til morning."
Actor James Hooton, who plays Sam Dingle, paid tribute to Andy when the Dingle family claimed the Best Soap Family award at the ITV British Soap Awards. He said: "He was an honoured and loves member of the cast. This is for him."
He did not leave a formal will, however the total value of the estate he left behind amounted to £103,776 gross and a net value of £98,907, according to a letter of administration retrieved from probate records in 2024.
