Tributes pour in for 'Emmerdale' star Hornby

Tributes to Emmerdale veteran Clive Hornby poured in yesterday following the news that the actor had died at the age of 63.

Hornby, who played Jack Sugden, the soap's longest-serving character, passed away on Thursday night. He had been forced to take a break from his soap role at the beginning of the year due to ill health.

Chris Chittell, who plays Eric Pollard on the show, said: "He was a very private and courageous man and not only a great contributor to the show but to all our lives."

Clive's former co-star Lisa Riley, better known as Mandy Dingle, added: "Clive had this amazing ability just to care for people. Whenever there was a new cast member joining Emmerdale, he used to take them under his wing and tell them how much their life was going to change. I just loved him."

Malandra Burrows, who played Kathy Bates for 17 years, was also among those who voiced their respect for Clive. She said: "We had a lot in common, he was from Liverpool and so was I. And because of Emmerdale we both made Yorkshire our adopted home."

She continued: "I did a lot of emotional scenes with him. I always looked forward to them because he was a passionate actor. Everything came from the heart and soul."