‘Emmerdale’ Actress Leah Bracknell Dies Aged 55

‘Emmerdale’ Actress Leah Bracknell Dies Aged 55
Leah Bracknell poses at the photocall and launch for the new theatrical production of 'Strangers On A Train' at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley, in Kent, England, on April 3, 2006. (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Former star on the popular U.K. show “Emmerdale,” Leah Bracknell, has died at the age of 55, her manager has confirmed.

Bracknell, who starred as Zoe Tate in the hit soap opera for 16 years, from 1989 to 2005, was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in 2016.

Her heartbroken family shared a statement with the BBC on Oct. 16 confirming she had passed away several weeks ago.

“Leah had an energy and enthusiasm for life, a kind heart and much love to give to those around her,” the family said in the statement. “Leah continued to embrace life and faced her illness with positivity.”

Earlier this year, Bracknell opened up about on her blog about what it was like having terminal cancer, and described the effects of the disease was like being  “trapped in a cage.”

She wrote in February: “If only you could find the door and step out to freedom and life as it was before.”

“If only you could wake from the nightmare: dawn breaks and you realise that it was all just a bad dream. And life is wonderfully normal again. Yes, if only.”

In a blog entry dated Feb. 21, Bracknell wrote that living with stage four cancer “is not black and white.”

“We cannot always be the noble and exceptional patient nor are we always self-pitying and woe-is-me,” she continued.

“Life on this path is far more nuanced see-sawing somewhere between the two; there are sunny days and there are days when dark clouds glower ominously and oppressively.

“To sum up, I am fed up of being fed up. And I’d like a break please … Simple stuff – driving, walking, breathing. It’d be nice to do those with ease again.”

The actress also shared details of her debilitating back pain. While tests showed she hadn’t suffered a vertebral collapse, the pain made her feel “as helpless as a baby.”

“I haven’t cooked a meal in months, or done the washing, or done any housework, or shopped. I’ve barely got off my backside to get myself a glass of water. But it isn’t. And if it wasn’t for Jez I’d have probably starved by now or been eaten by the cats,” she wrote.

Following the news of her death, John Whiston, the managing director of continuing drama and head of ITV in the north of England, said on Twitter: “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.

Bracknell also had roles in Judge John Deed, A Touch of Frost, The Royal Today, and DCI Banks, as well as several stage and pantomime appearances, Bracknell’s manager said in a statement on behalf of her family, reported The Guardian.

“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.”

Bracknell is survived by her husband, Jez Hughes, and her children Lily and Maya.

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