The cast of Emmerdale has lead the tributes to former star Leah Bracknell, following her death at the age of 55.
News of the actor’s death was announced on Wednesday, with her manager confirming she had died in September, three years after being diagnosed with stage four lung cancer.
Leah played Zoe Tate on Emmerdale for 16 years until 2005 and was remembered with great fondness by her co-stars on Twitter.Lisa Riley, who plays Mandy Dingle, was among the first to share her condolences, praising Leah as “a true angel to work with”.GOD BLESS YOU LEAH 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻a true angel to work with. You lost your battle far far to young. R.I.P. heaven gains an angel of the truest form 💛💛💛😇😇😇— Lisa Jane riley (@Reallisariley) October 16, 2019Claire King, who plays Zoe’s former step-mother Kim Tate, called her “gorgeous, beautiful, talented and lovely”. Gorgeous, beautiful, talented, lovely Leah, fly high over that rainbow my love 💖 🌈 xx pic.twitter.com/ijzuDsOKyk— Claire King (@claireking101) October 16, 2019Mark Charnock, aka Marlon Dingle, said that the world had “lost one of the truly good ones”, while Paddy Kirk actor Dominic Brunt said Leah was “truly amazing in lots of different ways”. Terrible news today. We’ve lost one of the truly good humans. Being around #Leah always made the day better. One of the kindest, sweetest, loveliest people you could wish to meet. There isn’t enough space here to list her qualities. She’ll be missed always. pic.twitter.com/aj7h2xu8DO— Mark Charnock (@markcharnock) October 16, 2019I lost a good friend today. She was truly amazing in lots of different ways and I shall miss her. x pic.twitter.com/0ZClkqMRZ7— Dominic Brunt (@dominicbrunt) October 16, 2019Many other famous names also shared tributes online:Such sad news - the brilliant Leah Bracknell has passed away aged 55 after a 3 year cancer battle. Thoughts go out to her family and friends xxxx pic.twitter.com/7AJpgPBrHM— Sarah Lancashire (@SarahLancsUK) October 16, 2019This is heartbreaking news, such a lovely person and talented actress. All my love to family, friends and the cast and crew at the Emmerdale family 😢 https://t.co/z8Sx1qrygl— Phillip Schofield (@Schofe) October 16, 2019So sorry to hear that the beautiful soul, Leah Bracknell, has lost her battle with cancer. The world has lost a little sparkle x— Sally Ann Matthews (@SallyAnMatthews) October 16, 2019So sorry to hear Leah Bracknell passed away. Such a beautiful person and an inspiration to many #so shockedtooyoung— Sally Dynevor (@sallydynevor) October 16, 2019John Whiston, ITV’s managing director of continuing drama and head of ITV in the North, said: “Everyone on Emmerdale is very sad to hear of the death of Leah Bracknell.
“Leah was a hugely popular member of the Emmerdale cast for over 16 years.
“During that time she featured in some of the show’s most high profile and explosive plots and always delivered a pitch perfect performance.
“Zoe Tate was one of soap’s first lesbian characters and Leah made sure the character was both exciting and credible.
“Leah herself was a very generous and caring colleague, much loved by cast and crew alike.”Leah revealed that she had been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in October 2016, aged 52.
Her diagnosis came to light when her partner launched a Go Fund Me page to raise money for her to undergo treatment overseas, due to a lack of options available on the NHS.
More than 2,500 fans joined together to raise £50,000 to help pay for cutting-edge treatment for her in Germany.
In August, she told of how her cancer treatment had stopped working.
After Leah left Emmerdale in an episode that was voted the Best Exit at the
British Soap Awards in 2006, she went on to appear in shows including Judge John Deed, Casualty 1907, Doctors and The Royal Today.
More recently, she had embarked on a career as a yoga and meditation teacher.
Leah is survived by her husband Jez Hughes and her two daughters, Maya and Lily Watson.