GONE TOO SOON Emmerdale’s Hayley Tamaddon left heartbroken as she announces tragic loss of close friend

HAYLEY Tamaddon has announced the tragic passing of one of her close friends in a tribute post online.

The Emmerdale actress, 49, took to Instagram to honour him and the ‘wonderful memories’ they shared together.

A single snap posted to Hayley’s profile shows her smiling at the camera with her late friend Owain Davies.

Penned in the post’s caption, the star revealed her heartbreak at the tragic loss and how she will ‘always smile’ when she thinks of Owain.

Hayley wrote: “Heartbreaking to hear that my beautiful friend has passed away.

“Owain was loved by so many. He lit up every room he went into.

“I have some wonderful memories of us together, we go back so many years… but our time together in LA will always make me smile.

“Sleep well my love. My heart goes out to his friends, and family Rhodri and Conway.”

Fans of the star shared their condolences in the post’s comments section.

One user simply said: “I’m very sorry.”

A second shared: “Sending love to all who knew him.”

A third added: “So sorry for your loss… heartbreaking news xx.”

Hayley also reposted another tribute shared online by Owain’s brother Rhodri, writing alongside it: “This is devastating news. I adored the bones of him.

“We had some great times over the years. So very sad.”

Owain, 44, was a Welsh actor who appeared in a number of shows and films including Twin Peaks: The Return, Disney‘s Alice Through The Looking Glass, and A Serial Killer’s Guide To Life.

He had also worked extensively on the West End, having starred in Mamma Mia! and The Wizard of Oz.

Hayley played the role of Delilah Dingle in Emmerdale from 2005 to 2007.

In her final episode, Del was seen saying goodbye to her family before leaving the country.

The star then joined the cast of Coronation Street playing the character of student Andrea Beckett between 2013 and 2015.