Andy Devine died of pneumonia after a fall, a coroner has concluded.
Andy Devine died of pneumonia after a fall
The 'Emmerdale' actor - best known for playing Shadrach Dingle in the ITV soap between 2000 and 2010 - passed away in January, and it has now been concluded that the star, whose real first name was Peter, died of "hospital-acquired pneumonia" and it was an "accident".
Sefton Senior Coroner Julie Goulding said Andy was on the floor for about an hour after he had "lost his balance resulting in a fall", and he was "unable to get up until his carers arrived".
She said: "Peter had a significant number of serious underlying clinical co-morbidities and, not withstanding all appropriate care and treatment, [his] condition deteriorated culminating in his death."
Andy served in the Royal Navy during the 1960s before turning his hand to acting.
He also featured in several episodes of 'Doctor Who', Channel 4 series 'Queer as Folk', and he had a small part in 'Coronation Street' in 1995.
Emmerdale's Shadrach was a popular character during a decade on the Dales before he passed away in an emotional alcohol abuse storyline in 2010.
Former 'Coronation Street' and 'Hollyoaks' star Daniel Jillings tweeted: "Such sad news! Often thought about Andy, he was my first drama teacher and a great one. A character both on and off screen."
Ex-'Emmerdale' star Liam O'Brien tweeted: "Heartbroken to hear of the passing of an old friend. Even sadder that he passed in January and never knew. I was by the sea now when heard the news and Andy Devine was a sailor through and through. Gods rest ye pal. Second star to the right. Straight on ‘til morning."