Kitty McGeever dead: Emmerdale and London's Burning actress passes away

McGeever was the first blind actress to be cast in a British soap

Kitty McGeever (Rex)

Emmerdale actress Kitty McGeever has died.

The actress passed away surrounded by her family, a spokeswoman for Emmerdale told ITV news.

McGeever made history in 2009 by taking on the role of hell-raiser Lizzie Lakely in Emmerdale - becoming the first blind person to be cast as a regular in a British soap - having previously appeared in the ITV drama London's Burning.

She left the programme in 2013 due to ill health, according to Digital Spy.

The Unfolding, a horror movie which is due to be screened at the Frighfest film festival on 28 August, would become her last acting appearance.

In a statement seen by ITV news, Emmerdale described McGeever in a statement as a "great talent" and a "true inspiration".

"The cast and crew are devastated at her passing and she will be missed tremendously and remembered fondly by all of us."

McGeever's Emmerdale colleagues have lead tributes to the actress, including Danny Miller, who plays Aaron Livesy; Rachel Breckle who performs as Gemma Oaten; and Chelsea Halfpenny who is Amy Wyatt in the soap.