Sheila Mercier, Emmerdale star and 'beating heart of the show', dies aged 100

Sheila Mercier, who played Annie Sugden in Emmerdale for more than 25 years, has died at the age of 100.

ITV confirmed Mercier's death in a statement on Friday night while her co-stars paid tribute to the "beating heart" of the show.

"It's always sad to hear of the death of an actor who played a significant part in Emmerdale's success," an ITV spokesperson said. "Even more so when that actor was in the very first episode and around whose family the show was built. Annie Sugden embodied all the virtues of Yorkshire... she was hard-working, resilient, determined, down to earth and didn't suffer fools gladly.

"Sheila had many of those qualities too, putting the needs of the programme above her own and always delivering a great performance come rain or shine. She will be greatly missed."

Claire King, who played the villainous Kim Tate on the show, said: "RIP Sheila Mercier, the beating heart of Emmerdale, never forgotten, so many wonderful memories, love and condolences to all her family."

Mercier was one of the first to join the soap when it launched as Emmerdale Farm in 1972, and appeared in the first episode. She quickly became known for her portrayal of Annie Sugden.

Mercier appeared between 1972 and 1994, and continued to make guest appearances in the following years.

The British Soap Awards paid tribute to Mercier on Twitter last night. "RIP Sheila Mercier. Emmerdale's original leading lady and the very definition of a matriarch."

Mark Charnock, who plays Marlon Dingle, said: "The great #SheilaMercier has left us. What an iconic character Annie Sugden was. Used to watch it with my grandparents as a boy, so to meet her in later years was a thrill. I was star struck and she was so lovely to me. RIP."