Emmerdale’s Johnny Leeze dies aged 78 after testing positive for coronavirus 

BREAKING: Emmerdale and Coronation Street star Johnny Leeze dies aged 78 a day after testing positive for coronavirus

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.

Johnny was best known for starring as Ned Glover on Emmerdale from 1994 to 1999.

Passing: Emmerdale and Coronation Street star Johnny Leeze has died aged 78 (pictured in Emmerdale)

Before that role, the TV star was known to soap fans for playing Harry Clayton on Coronation Street for a few months in 1985. 

Johnny’s daughter Holly revealed that her father had tested positive for coronavirus the day before his death. 

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.

Family: 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 (pictured on Emmerdale in 1997)

Family: 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 (pictured on Emmerdale in 1997)

‘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.’

Johnny, who was born John Glen in York, made his screen debut in 1982 with a bit part on the sitcom Open All Hours.

Prior to his appearance as Harry on Coronation Street, he featured on the soap in one episode as a character named Mr Slater in 1982 and returned to the show as Laurie Johnstone in 2005.  

Character: Johnny was best known for starring as Ned Glover on Emmerdale from 1994 to 1999 (pictured with Roberta Kerr who played his wife Jan Glover)

 Character: Johnny was best known for starring as Ned Glover on Emmerdale from 1994 to 1999 (pictured with Roberta Kerr who played his wife Jan Glover)

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