The death of Pearl Ladderbanks in Emmerdale

In 2024 heartbreak struck Emmerdale when Pearl Ladderbanks died. Although actress Meg Johnson had died in real life in July 2023, she was not honoured...
Carena Crawford
By Carena Crawford

In 2024 heartbreak struck Emmerdale when Pearl Ladderbanks died. Although actress Meg Johnson had died in real life in July 2023, she was not honoured on screen until almost a year later.

Emmerdale gets news Pearl has died

Paddy Kirk received a letter from Owen telling him Pearl had passed away. The letter came with a parcel containing a hand-knitted jumper for Paddy to wear – specially made for him by Pearl.

“Gran knew she was fading but kept fighting until the end,” the letter read. “You were always in her thoughts and she was determined you should have one last jumper. Knitting it kept her going. Not long enough but longer than I could’ve hoped so thank you.”

Sob!

Meg Johnson’s death

Actress Meg Johnson, who played Pearl, died in July 2023 aged 86. A statement from her family read: “It is with great sadness that we announce that actress Meg Johnson passed away peacefully yesterday evening surrounded by her family. Meg was a kind and wonderful lady, full of warmth and always with a twinkle in her eye.”

It continued: “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.”

Her friends at Emmerdale remembered her as “a kind and wonderful lady, full of warmth and always with a twinkle in her eye”.

Meg had lost her husband, English actor and ITV Granada television presenter Charles Foster, earlier in the year and was said to have struggled following his death.