Emmerdale and Coronation Street star Johnny Leeze has died aged 78. The actor’s passing was confirmed by his daughter Holly who told the Daily Star her father died following a short illness two weeks ago.
Holly revealed Johnny, who played Ned Glover on Emmerdale from 1994 to 1999, tested positive for coronavirus the day before his death.
His daughter also told how her father suffered a heart attack on the morning of his death and was taken to hospital.
Speaking to the publication, Holly paid tribute to her dad who she described as a ‘strong man’ and a ‘great guy’.
She said: ‘He was my friend, he was such a strong, strong man. 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.’
The Daily Star reports that Johnny’s passing was also confirmed by his brother Phillip who shared a statement on social media.