Andy Devine death: who was Emmerdale actor, who was his character Shadrach Dingle and when was he in soap?

Emmerdale actor Andy Devine who starred as Shadrach Dingle died after an accidental fall, a coroner has said.

The soap star, whose real name was Peter Devine, appeared to have “lost his balance resulting in a fall” and died in Southport Hospital in Merseyside on 27 January this year with the medical cause of death given as hospitalacquired pneumonia.

The 79-year-old had played Shadrach Dingle for a decade before he left the soap in 2010.

The sad news of his death was confirmed by his family, months after his passing.

Who is Andy Devine?

Andy Devine was an British actor who was best-known to audiences for his role of Shadrach Dingle in Emmerdale.

He was a member of the iconic Dingle clan in the ITV soap, playing big brother to family patriarch Zak Dingle.

Andy, whose real name was Peter Devine, made his first appearance in the show in 2000, and left in 2010 after his character was killed off during an emotional storyline involving alcohol abuse.

Prior to his turn in Emmerdale, Andy starred in the 1999 Russell T Davies drama ‘Queer As Folk’ as Bernard Thomas.

The actor had previously served in the Royal Navy before turning his attention to acting.

How did Andy Devine die?

The death of the actor was confirmed by his family on 30 May 2022.

However, public records show that Andy had actually passed away almost four months ago on 27 January.

A statement from Sefton Senior Coroner Julie Goulding said: “He was unable to get up until his carers arrived to assist him which was about an hour later.

“Peter had a significant number of serious underlying clinical co-morbidities and not withstanding all appropriate care and treatment, Peter’s condition deteriorated culminating in his death.”

The medical cause of his death was determined as “hospital acquired pneumonia” and the cause of his death was concluded as “accident”, the coroner added.

Who has paid tribute to Andy Devine?

Fowlling the sad news of his passing, tributes have rolled in from Emmerdale fans.

One fan said: “Sorry to hear we have lost another good actor.”

Another said: “Saddened to learn that Andy Devine has died. What a actor (and character).”

One fan shared their memories of Andy’s knack for comedy, saying: “Just heard the sad news that Andy Devine who played Shadrach Dingle in Emmerdale and Bernard in Queer as Folk passed away in January. Brilliant comic characters that he played so well.”

Irish actor Liam O’Brien, who played Ethan Blake in Emmerdale for three years, said: “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.”

Similarly, Four Lives actor Daniel Jillings said: “Such sad news! Often thought about Andy, he was my first drama teacher and a great one. A character both on and off screen.”