Emmerdale and Corrie actor Johnny Leeze dies following positive Covid test

Actor Johnny Leeze has died following a short illness, his family have confirmed.

Leeze, who was 78, was best known for his roles on Emmerdale and Coronation Street. He passed away after testing positive for the coronavirus two weeks ago, his daughter Holly said. "He was my friend, he was such a strong, strong man," she told the Daily Star.

"He was such a great guy, a really funny guy. He was loved by everybody really. Even by his ex-wife, who is with me today, my mum. "I don’t know what else to say. I’m numb, I just can’t get my head round it at the minute. I want to say so much more about him but I just don’t know what to say."

Leeze's brother Phillip also shared the sad news, taking to Facebook to post a tribute. "He made thousands laugh. He will be missed greatly by us all," he wrote. Leeze played Glover family patriarch Ned Glover on Emmerdale from 1994 to 1999. He also portrayed milkman Harry Clayton on Corrie in 1984. Other TV credits include parts on Last of The Summer Wine, Heartbeat, Life on Mars and Phonenix Nights. As well as acting, Leeze worked as a stand-up comic.