[RichardWells]

Emmerdale's series producer Gavin Blyth has died at the age of 41, ITV has confirmed.

The show chief - who took office at the Yorkshire-based soap in January 2009 - passed away last night following a short period of ill health.

An Emmerdale spokesperson said today: "It is with great sadness that we confirm our series producer Gavin Blyth passed away last night after a short illness.

"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."

Blyth first joined the world of soap in 2002, when he landed the job of senior publicist at Emmerdale. He later secured the position of script editor at the programme.

In 2005, Blyth became a story associate at Coronation Street before moving onto the role of assistant producer.

After returning to Emmerdale in the position of series producer last year, he began steering a major revamp of the rural soap. His decisions included introducing the Sharma and Barton families, bringing back the characters of Cain and Charity and signing up a number of new cast members, including Kim Thomson, James Sutton, Suzanne Shaw and Pauline Quirke.

Sally Spode's evil revenge on village vicar Ashley Thomas, the tale of Mark Wylde's murder and Aaron Livesy's sexuality struggle were among the successful storylines which appeared on screens during his time with the soap.

Paying tribute to Blyth, Emmerdale's executive producer Steve November said: "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. It is a very sad day for everyone at Emmerdale. Our thoughts are with Gavin's family and those closest to him at this difficult time."

Very sad news

[Smithy]

Shocking news too
RIP
But, wasn't he the current exec producer?

[Patrick]

RIP Producer Guy.

[Patrick]

LOL at the edit.

Fair play anyway, It was abit of an out of order thing to say.

[Smithy]

so why say it in the first place?

[Stacey.]

Omg. R.I.P Gavin

[Scarlett.]

OMFG, he was so young

[Visage]

Only 41

[Scarlett.]

I don't think Emmerdale will find another producer who has such passion for the show

[Patrick]

Aw Chewy did he?

I'm not being funny, but if they get another producer and he/she fails at the show...

Could Emmerdale end?

Originally Posted by Smithy

so why say it in the first place?

I was bored.

[Scarlett.]

Gavin did make changes that I didn't like, but his passion for the show showed when he did interviews for the show.

I expect Steve November will take over as producer now

[Smithy]

Originally Posted by Patrick

I was bored.

You seriously need to go find a little hole curl up and die in it

[Stacey.]

Originally Posted by Smithy

You seriously need to go find a little hole curl up and die in it

:/

[flamingGalah!]

Very sad news, especially for his family & friends...

Patrick if you are so bored perhaps you could go & do your homework or write your letter to Santa, or anything more productive than writing very distasteful remarks...

[Scarlett.]

Apparently he died of lung cancer

[Callum]

This is so sad, I never even knew he was ill.

[RichardWells]

He was only on This Morning a couple of months ago I think discussing the soap.

Very sad.

[Scarlett.]

To think he was just quoted a few days ago, talking about the fire episodes

[bbfan1991]

Really sad, RIP to him.. thoughts with his family and well done over his work on both Corrie and Emmerdale.

[Kerry]

41, woah. God Bless

[hotleggs]

paddy get into the chair the barber is coming for you LOL

you should be ashamed

[hotleggs]

r.i.p gavin

[Scarlett.]

Originally Posted by ~Kerry~

41, woah. God Bless

No age at all

[Kerry]

Originally Posted by Chewy

No age at all

No Makes you think huh? Last week I found out someone I'd posted alongside on a forum had passed away suddenly at 36. It really puts life into perspective