Emmerdale Boss Gavin Blyth Dies aged 41

Emmerdale producer Gavin Blyth has died aged 41.

It’s usually the soap plots that bring the tragedy and only days ago he announced that next year Emmerdale was to see a huge fire rip through part of the village bringing the usual sensational deaths to our screens. “Death and destruction in the Dales” as one paper put it.

However now the real life story of Emmerdale boss Gavin Blyth has made the headlines. Gavin was diagnosed only a few weeks before his death that he was suffering from Cancer.

The former YTV soap has been thriving under Blyth’s leadership. Since taking over the show last year Blyth has brought to the screen memorable plots such as Mark Wylde’s murder and Aaron Livesy’s struggle with his sexuality – which have won much praise from fans. 

“Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this terrible time. He will be greatly missed by us all. Gavin leaves his wife Suzy and children Tom, 15, Anya, 11 and Carter, aged 1.” – Emmerdale statement

Although praised for bringing gripping plots to the screen, his decision to write out the character of Viv Hope who has been a part of the rural saga for decades has not been well received by long-term fans.

Previously he worked on Coronation Street as a story associate then assistant producer. But he started in the world of soap on Emmerdale – working as a senior publicist before becoming a script editor.

“Gavin has made an immense contribution to Emmerdale since taking over as series producer in January 2009 and during many hugely successful years at ITV. As a friend and colleague he will be missed an incredible amount by us all.” – Steve November, Emmerdale executive producer

Gavin died at St James’ Hospital in Leeds on Friday night. Click Lancashire reported it was ‘lung cancer’ however their article was updated and changed to simply ‘cancer’ sometime later.