Emmerdale actress Meg Johnson - who performed Pearl Ladderbanks on the ITV cleaning soap - has died, her household have stated.

A joint assertion from the 86-year-old's household, expertise company Jorg Betts Associates and the ITV present stated: "It is with nice disappointment that we announce that actress Meg Johnson handed away peacefully yesterday night surrounded by her household.

"Meg was a kind and wonderful lady, full of warmth and always with a twinkle in her eye."

The assertion added that Johnson had dementia for the previous few years, however "battled on personally and professionally regardless".

Johnson performed Pearl Ladderbanks in Emmerdale from 2003.