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Privacy NoticeEmmerdale fans have remembered late actress Leah Bracknell on what would have been her 60th birthday. Leah, who was 55, bravely battled stage 4 lung cancer since her diagnosis in 2016. The adored star tragically died in September 2019. On Friday, July 12, fans of the adored actress paid tribute to Leah, took to social media to wish the star a happy birthday. One fan shared a stunning photograph of Leah and wrote: “This beautiful lady would have been 60 today. Happy heavenly birthday Leah Bracknell.” “Happy heavenly birthday to Leah Bracknell who would’ve been 60 today,” said another. A third penned: “Remembering Leah Bracknell who played Zoe Tate in Emmerdale. Today would have been her 60th birthday.” Someone else added: “Happy heavenly 60th birthday to Leah Bracknell.”
Leah Bracknell as Zoe Tate
(Image: ITV)
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Despite being told her condition was terminal, Leah chose to embrace life rather than dwell on death. During what would be her final interview, her optimism shone through as she expressed: “I still hope I could get my impossible miracle. And if not, I am going to have a bloody good time along the way.” She added: “I don’t need to go and fulfil a bucket list, that’s not my style, I just want to do the things I want to do while I am healthy and strong, I won’t let myself live in fear, I’m just going to live a good life.” Famous for portraying Zoe Tate on Emmerdale for nearly 16 years starting in December 1989, Leah was also a loving mother to her daughters Maya and Lily, and cherished wife to Jez Hughes, whom she described as her “rock” and married quietly in 2017 following her diagnosis.
Leah Bracknell’s role as Zoe Tate was pioneering
(Image: ITV)
A statement from her agent confirmed the heartbreaking news, saying: “It is with the deepest sadness that Leah Bracknell’s family confirm that Leah passed away in September, three years after her diagnosis with stage 4 lung cancer.” The family of the beloved actress expressed their gratitude to the public, stating: “They would like to thank all the public for their support and generosity which contributed to the extension and quality of her life over the past three years.” Describing her as a force to be reckoned with, they added: “Leah continued to embrace life and faced her illness with positivity. Leah had an energy and enthusiasm for life, a kind heart and much love to give to those around her.”
Leah Bracknell on Emmerdale in 1990
(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
The acting industry gave an outpouring of tributes for Leah after the news broke. One of them said her caring nature and talent are truly unforgettable. Lisa Riley, who portrayed Mandy Dingle on Emmerdale and had often worked alongside Leah, praised her with these words: “Leah lived her life to the fullest, her legacy will truly live on.” Recalling fond memories of Leah, Lisa added: “She played my fairy godmother in Emmerdale and that’s what she was in real life too – there was nobody on that show that Leah didn’t help. She will be missed so much by everyone who knew her.” Dominic Brunt, the actor behind vet Paddy Kirk on Emmerdale, shared via Twitter: “I lost a good friend today. She was truly amazing in lots of different ways and I shall miss her x”. Adele Silva, known for her role as Kelly Windsor on Emmerdale, tweeted a simple heartfelt message: “#Leah what a truly lovely human being – such a sad loss.” Born Alison Rosalind Bracknell, she chose to honour her Chinese-Malaysian actress mother, Li-er Hwang, by adopting the professional name ‘Leah’, reports the Mirror. Leah’s acting career was kick-started by her dad, television director David, when he offered her a role in TV series, The Chiffy Kids, back in 1976. Following her training at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, she landed her big break at only 25 when she snagged a role in ITV’s much-loved soap Emmerdale.
Frank Tate [Norman Bowler], Kim Tate [Claire King], Chris Tate [Peter Amory] and Zoe Tate [Leah Bracknell] in 1989
(Image: Yorkshire Television)
In 2005, Leah made a memorable exit from Emmerdale, with her departure scooping the Best Exit award at the British Soap Awards the following year. But this was far from the end of her acting journey, she went on to star in Judge John Deed, Casualty 1907, A Touch of Frost, DCI Banks, Doctors and another ITV1 soap, The Royal Today, not to mention her theatre roles in Gaslight and Strangers On A Train. News about her cancer struggle first arose when a Go Fund Me page was set up to help raise funds for her treatment overseas. Faced with an oncologist who initially gave her just a few months to live did not deter Leah from putting up a brave fight. Taking her learnt knowledge as a yoga instructor and shamanic healer, she chose to adopt a positive mindset, sharing: “I sat myself down and thought, ‘How do I want to live now?'” Recognising society’s tendency to be too preoccupied with endings, she said, “The focus is all on dying. So I thought, ‘How can I get the most out of my life, who do I want to be? ‘ You can still live a rich life whatever s*** is thrown at you.” Over 2,500 loyal fans banded together to raise an impressive £50,000 for her to receive innovative treatment in Germany.
Emmerdale’s late Leah Bracknell documented her cancer battle from hospital food to her treatment
(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
In surprised gratitude, she responded: “I really did not expect or feel deserving of such interest and kindness.” However, her trip to Germany didn’t materialise as she received treatment in the UK from the NHS, and participated in a clinical trial in the months leading up to her death. She created a heartfelt blog named Something Beginning With C to document her journey with cancer, and was also working on a book that she hoped would bring comfort and guidance to others tackling cancer and their loved ones. Defying traditional labels, she took inspiration from Extinction Rebellion protests she’d previously attended despite her medical condition, and branded herself as a “cancer rebel”. Addressing the commonly used language around disease, she expressed: “A lot of the labels around cancer are very military – you battle cancer, you have got to keep fighting it. “There is a lot of language is very negative and not very helpful for someone with cancer – I read headlines about myself and they would say things like cancer victim, cancer sufferer, cancer-stricken. But I didn’t recognise myself in that – that was not how I would describe myself.” Defiantly, Leah refused to accept the doctors’ forecasts, instead choosing to live her life to its fullest.Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnCasualtyCoronation StreetEmmerdaleDramaLisa RileyAdele
