SOAP stars were in tears last night as Emmerdale legend Clive Hornby — who played tragedy-dogged Jack Sugden for 28 years — died aged 63.
He was suffering from hypoxia, a complication of the later stages of cancer.
Bosses and co-stars were stunned to hear that their longest-serving cast member had passed away in a Leeds hospice.
The “incredibly private” actor had been too ill to film since January, but had vowed to be back on set.
Producer Anita Turner said: “This is devastating. He loved Emmerdale and we talked about how he’d return.
“I saw him on Tuesday and we were joking about how he’d walk in and surprise everyone.”
Liverpool-born Clive started in showbiz as a drummer in 1960s band The Dennisons, sharing a bill with The Beatles.
He arrived in Emmerdale in 1980 on a three-month deal and went on to appear in some of its most dramatic scenes.
His character Jack — a nice-guy farmer but with a fiery temper — lost first wife Pat in a crash and second wife Sarah in a barn arson, which saw him held for murder.
He was shot by his son and his third screen wife Diane — who escaped death twice — cheated on him with killer Billy Hopwood.
Throughout all, Clive never once replaced his trademark flat cap.
He said recently: “Believe it or not, I still wear the same cap — the one I was given on my first day.”
In real life, Clive wed actress Helen Weir — who played Jack’s first wife Pat — and they had a son Tom, now 22.
The couple divorced in 2000.
The actor was much-loved by his co-stars.
Pal Chris Chittell, who plays miser Eric Pollard, said: “Clive had a wicked sense of humour. He was not only a great contributor to the show but also to all our lives.”
In the soap, Jack is visiting his mum Annie in Spain. Producers will now have to find a way to write him out.
A source said: “We’ve yet to make a decision. We were expecting Clive to return.”
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