Ex-Emmerdale star Leah Bracknell, 55, has died three years after being diagnosed with lung cancer
- Leah Bracknell has died three years after being diagnosed with lung cancer
- Her manager said the much-loved soap star passed away in September
- The actress, 55, who played Zoe Tate in the Yorkshire Dales series for 16 years
- Fans helped her raise more than £50,000 to undergo groundbreaking treatment
Former Emmerdale star Leah Bracknell, who played Zoe Tate in the long running soap, has died three years after being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.
The ex-soap actress, 55, who played Zoe Tate in the Yorkshire Dales ITV series for 16 years from 1989 to 2005, died in September surrounded by family, her managed has said.
Bracknell, who also had roles in A Touch of Frost, The Royal Today and DCI Banks, was diagnosed in September 2016 after rapid weight gain around her abdomen and breathlessness prompted her to seek medical help.
After she was diagnosed, fans helped her raise more than £50,000 to undergo groundbreaking treatment in Germany, which despite she later revealed had failed.
Tragic: Former Emmerdale star Leah Bracknell has died three years after being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer
Bracknell wed her long-term partner Jez Hughes in a quiet ceremony as she continued to battle cancer
Tragic: Bracknell, who also had roles in A Touch of Frost, The Royal Today and DCI Banks, was diagnosed in September 2016 after rapid weight gain around her abdomen and breathlessness prompted her to seek medical help
The actress, 55, who played Zoe Tate in the Yorkshire Dales ITV series for 16 years from 1989 to 2005, died in September surrounded by family, her managed has said (character: Zoe Tate)
Bracknell has appeared in public numerous times over the past three years, discussing living with cancer and talking openly about her numerous methods to ease her symptoms.
She wrote about her experiences in a poignant blog titled: Something Beginning With C.
Tributes have begun to pour in from her co-stars .
A statement from Bracknell’s manager said: ‘It is with the deepest sadness that Leah Bracknell’s family confirm that Leah passed away in September, three years after her diagnosis with stage 4 lung cancer.
‘They would like to thank all the public for their support and generosity which contributed to the extension and quality of her life over the past three years.
‘Leah continued to embrace life and faced her illness with positivity. Many aspects of her journey can be found on her blog.
Leah Bracknell as Zoe Tate in Emmerdale (PA)
‘Leah was best known and much loved as Zoe Tate in Emmerdale. She also had roles in Judge John Deed, A Touch of Frost, The Royal Today and DCI Banks to name just a few, as well as numerous appearances on stage and in pantomime.
‘As well as acting, Leah was also an accomplished yoga teacher and shamanic healer.
‘Leah had an energy and enthusiasm for life, a kind heart and much love to give to those around her.
‘Her family have asked for privacy at this very sad time.’
John Whiston – MD Continuing Drama & Head of ITV in the North said in a statement: ‘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 soaps 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.’