TRIBUTES to Liverpool-born Clive Hornby – Emmerdale’s flat cap-wearing Jack Sugden – were paid yesterday, following his death on Thursday night, at the age of 63.

Hornby, who grew up in Aintree, was the longest-serving cast member in Emmerdale’s history, a fixture in the soap for 28 years.

His last scenes were broadcast in February, but the star had been determined to beat a mystery illness and return to work.

Emmerdale series producer Anita Turner said: “This is a devastating loss and we are all deeply saddened.

“Clive will be greatly missed by everyone who has worked with him on Emmerdale during the past 28 years.

“He was a hugely popular and well-respected member of the cast and a terrific actor.

“Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.”

In the mid-60s, Hornby was a member of the Dennisons – a band once dubbed the Baby Beatles – and he could have opted to make music his career.

But he decided he wanted to act, approached the Liverpool Playhouse, and landed a job as a tea-making, floor-sweeping assistant floor manager.

When the group split, Hornby turned his attention to acting full time, attending the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art before going into repertory theatre.

Hornby, who lived in Ilkley, near Bradford, first walked on to the Emmerdale set in 1980, after being offered a three-month contract.

He took over the role from Andrew Burt, who had played Sugden since the first episode.

Recently, the star said of his longevity on the soap: “I can’t believe I’m still here sometimes. Some of the kids in the show weren’t even born when I started.

“But I love it. I must be a survivor because 28 years is a long time to survive in a soap. I can’t imagine leaving.”

His character was married three times, had five children, and suffered plenty of on-screen strife.

Despite the changes to the show, originally called Emmerdale Farm, one thing remained consistent for flat cap and wax jacket-wearing Sugden.

“Believe it or not, I still wear the same cap,” Hornby recently said, “the one I was given on my first day”.

Sugden’s first wife, Pat, was killed off in a car crash in 1986 – the first of many tragedies for his character.

In real life, he went on to marry Helen Weir, who played Pat.

They divorced eight years ago and have a son, Tom.

Sugden was one of the soap’s favourite characters and started out as a ladies’ man.

His on-screen dramas have included the death of his second wife in a barn fire, his arrest for her murder before the real culprit was discovered, being shot at by his son and almost being killed in a fire. Chris Chittell, who plays Eric Pollard in the soap, also paid tribute to the star.

He said: “Clive meant everything to everyone . . . He had a wicked sense of humour which I always appreciated.

“He was a very private and courageous man and not only a great contributor to the show but also to all our lives. He was a great guy and therefore will obviously be missed.”

Ms Turner added: “Losing Clive is an enormous blow to everyone both here at Emmerdale and at ITV.

“Clive was the heart of the show, not just because he was the longest-serving member of the cast but also because he was such an exceptional man.”

davidbartlett