Coronation Street and Emmerdale star Meg Johnson dies age 86

  1. Home
  2. News
Emmerdale and Corrie star Meg Johnson dead at 86

Manchester-born actor and soap star Meg Johnson, best known for her roles on Coronation Street and Emmerdale, has sadly died at age 86.

The British soap veteran played Eunice Gee on Coronation Street, Brigid McKenna on the Liverpool-based show Brookside, and served as one of the longest-standing cast members on Emmerdale for the past two decades in the role of Pearl Ladderbanks.

Speaking in a joint statement via ITV, her loved ones and her talent agency confirmed, “It is with great sadness that we announce that actress Meg Johnson passed away peacefully yesterday evening surrounded by her family.”

Emmerdale, its cast members and numerous other showbiz figures have taken to social media to pass on their condolences and pay tribute to a hugely popular character on and off screen who will be “greatly missed by everyone who knew her.”

Read more:

As detailed in the statement, Johnson had been struggling with dementia in recent years “but battled on personally and professionally regardless”, last appearing on the show in 2020. She was also married to ITV Granada continuity announcer Charles Foster, who also sadly passed away earlier this year.

They went on to describe her as “a kind and wonderful lady, full of warmth and always with a twinkle in her eye”, who enjoyed “an outstanding career that ended with her playing Pearl Ladderbanks in Emmerdale from 2003.”

But her career was by no means limited to the likes of Corrie and other UK soaps, she was also a regular in Victoria Wood’s As Seen On TV between from 1985 to 1987, and with a love of stage as well a brilliant singing voice, appeared in musicals like Chicago and Carousel on the West End.

We couldn’t think of a more fitting way to remember her than with this clip. Rest in peace, Pearl.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image — ITV