EMMERDALE actress Meg Johnson has died aged 86.
The "kind and wonderful" soap star had played Pearl Ladderbanks in Emmerdale since 2003.
Her death was confirmed by her family, talent agency Jorg Betts Associates and ITV Emmerdale.
She was said to have been battling dementia "for the last few years".
The joint statement said: "It is with great sadness that we announce that actress Meg Johnson passed away peacefully yesterday evening surrounded by her family.
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"Meg was a kind and wonderful lady, full of warmth and always with a twinkle in her eye.
"Meg had an outstanding career that ended with her playing Pearl Ladderbanks in Emmerdale from 2003.
"Meg had dementia for the last few years, but battled on personally and professionally regardless.
"She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her."
Danny Miller, best known for playing fan favourite Aaron Dingle, paid tribute to the late star.
The actor, who was crowned king of the I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! castle in 2021, tweeted: "Truly devastated to hear this. Pearl was a fair way to describe our lovely Meg.
"The creator of 'pigs bum!!' - should she ever forget her lines, and a loved soul throughout the building. Shared many laughs with her and Dominic on set."
Michelle Hardwick, who played Vanessa Woodfield on Emmerdale, said Meg was a "talented, funny, warm lady".
She tweeted: "Meg was absolutely one of a kind. A talented, funny, warm lady who everyone adored. I'm so very grateful I got to spend so much time with her."
Former Emmerdale star Gemma Oaten, who played Rachel Breckle from 2011 to 2015, said Meg was "a beautiful woman inside and out".
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She tweeted: "Sending so much love to the @emmerdale family and family of the late and great Meg Johnson.
"A beautiful woman inside and out, who was always so kind to me during my #Emmerdale days.
"I'm sure Shirley, Freddie, Richard and Co will take good care of her up there. RIP lovely Meg x."
Samantha Giles, known for portraying the role of Bernice Blackstock on Emmerdale, said she was "such fun".
The actress tweeted: "So sad to learn of lovely Meg Johnson's passing, who played the glamourous Pearl in Emmerdale.
"She was such fun and I particularly remember her famous saying when she got her lines wrong; 'oh pig's bum'."
Lisa Riley, best known for portraying Mandy Dingle in Emmerdale, said Meg taught her "discipline, respect, comedy, and how not to take life to (sic) seriously".
The actress tweeted: "God bless you Meg. Those many many many days at OTW with David, you taught me so much, discipline, respect, comedy, and how not to take life to (sic) seriously.
"You are the true meaning of the words-wonderful woman. your energy lives on, because you were so very special. R.I.P. Meg.!"
Meg first arrived onto the Dales in 2003 as a receptionist at the vets.
She was part of some huge storylines including being trapped in a fire during the Sugden house explosion, developing a gambling addiction and faking Alzheimer's disease.
Meg also appeared as Eunice Gee on Coronation Street and Brigid McKenna on Brookside.
