It has just been announced that one of Britain’s all-time favourite and best-loved soap actors, Emmerdale star Clive Hornby who was best known as Jack Sugden has died aged 63.
It’s said that Clive fell seriously ill in January, forcing Emmerdale bosses hurriedly to write him out of scenes. Despite suffering from cancer which Clive did not want to be made public he insisted he would be back. But sadly his brave wish was not to be and Clive lost his fight for life on Thursday night and no details of his illness are being released at the request of his family.
Producer Anita Turner said that “Emmerdale is a family. Today we lost our father. Clive was the heart of the show, not just for being the longest-serving cast member but because he was such an exceptional man. His portrayal of a farmer was utterly believable and he never looked happier than when he was there on the farm with his sleeves rolled up saving a sheep or leaning on a fence looking out over the Dales. Jack was a wonderful everyman - farmer, father, lover, husband. He was the benchmark against which everything else could be judged in Emmerdale.”
Clive first appeared in Emmerdale on February 19, 1980. Jack Sugden was the son of Jacob and Annie, who owned the farm. He was a ladies man, marrying teenage sweetheart Pat in 1982 - played by his real-life ex Helen Weir.
All our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time
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