Coronation Street and Emmerdale star Johnny Leeze has sadly died, aged 78, after testing positive for coronavirus.
Johnny’s brother, Phillip, shared the news on Facebook, writing: “It is with deep regret to inform you all my brother John passed away this morning… He will be missed greatly.”
He added that Johnny had been diagnosed with Covid-19 shortly before his death and that he also had underlying health issues.
RIP Johnny Leeze. My flat mate when I arrived in @emmerdale in 1997. Old school and wayward but full of good advice. The funniest stories attached to this fella. Non repeatable here I’m afraid. X pic.twitter.com/JDUzvocsEG
— Dominic Brunt (@dominicbrunt) October 25, 2020
His post finished: “He made thousands laugh. Rest in peace John. Your loving brother Phil and sisters Pam and Sheila. I know you will have them all in stitches up there. Fly high on angels wings.”
The actor’s daughter, Holly, also paid tribute to her dad, and revealed he died two weeks ago, after suffering a heart attack on the morning of his death and had been taken into hospital.
She told the Daily Star: “He was my friend, he was such a strong, strong man.
Very very sad to hear my old mate and former @emmerdale legend Johnny Leeze past away today. I first worked with him in 1983 and he gave me lots of encouragement and advice. Great entertainer and a cracking bloke #RIP pic.twitter.com/QLswpUoxaN
— Dean Andrews (@Deanoandrews) October 25, 2020
“He was such a great guy, a really funny guy. He was loved by everybody really. Even by his ex-wife, who is with me today, my mum.
“I don’t know what else to say. I’m numb, I just can’t get my head round it at the minute. I want to say so much more about him but I just don’t know what to say.”
In 2000 he appeared as Inspector Cox in five episodes of the League of Gentlemen. Later he appeared in Phoenix Nights, Doctors, Early Doors, The Royal and most recently a 2007 appearance in Life on Mars. His only film appearance was in the 2001 film Blow Dry, in which he had a small part.
He has also appeared in Last of The Summer Wine and Heartbeat.