Kitty McGeever, Emmerdale's first blind actress, has died
The actress played Lizzie Lakely in Emmerdale from 2009 until 2013 when she had to quit due to her health.
The actress Kitty McGeever who played Lizzie Lakely in Emmerdale has died. Kitty made TV history when she became the first ever blind person to be cast in a British soap.
She reportedly died surrounded by friends and family and Emmerdale Producers announced the news with a series of tweets:
The casting was a huge boost for the actress who had only recently lost her sight before she landed the part of Lizzie.
She gave birth to her son Felix two months early, who developed a heart and lung complication at the age of four months and the trauma seriously affected Kitty, who as a result of stress, suffered with heart problems, kidney failure and diabetic retinopathy.
Laser treatment was given to try and save her sight but it was unsuccessful and at the age of 32 she had lost her sight completely.
The character of Lizzie was initially introduced as a loveable rogue who arrived wearing a tag following a conviction for a petty crime. She went on to con soap favourite Marlon Dingle into accepting her romantic advice via an expensive psychic telephone line. However over time she made friends with the villagers and proved to be a popular character.
In 2013 she was forced to quit the soap due to ill health but was well remembered and co-stars have took to Twitter to send their condolences.
Photo credit ITV