Emmerdale actor’s tragic death thousands of miles from home at just 31
Sam Gannon had been visiting family in California when he tragically died at the age of 31
Emmerdale star Sam Gannon
Sam Gannon looked set to be about to crack the world of television when he was cast as horse-drawn carriage coachman, Kev, in the long running ITV soap, Emmerdale.
Acting alongside Emma Atkins, who plays the beloved Charity Dingle, the young star appeared in two episodes in 2019 and his career seemed to be on the up.
But aged just 31, and while visiting family in the United States, Sam died suddenly when he was struck down with a rare illness in 2022.
Sam might have been breaking through on television but he was based known for his work on stage. Growing up in Brayton, near Selby in North Yorkshire, he joined the Northumberland Theatre Company.
The theatre said in a statement at the time of his tragic death: “He delighted audiences with his charm, his wit and his wonderful musical abilities.
Sam starred opposite Emma Atkins in Emmerdale(Image: ITV)
“Sam was described by many as being like a human Duracell bunny, with limitless energy, always running around the rehearsal room and almost having too many creative ideas to keep locked up in his brain. In short, Sam could be a handful at times! But he was always fantastic as soon as you got him on that stage.
“He has also been described as a genuinely lovely lad, a wonderful human and a good friend to many.”
Sam was visiting family in California at the time of his death. His devastated mother, Angela Gannon, said a heart condition he had as a child had “reared its ugly head” in the months leading up to the tragedy.
At the time, she said: “You just don’t expect these things to happen, especially to a young man of 31 who was having the time of his life. He was having a great time, up in the mountains shooting tin cans, building stables for horses.”
Sam was described as a “sensitive soul”(Image: ITV)
A crowdfunding appeal was launched to raise enough money to bring Sam home to his family and his funeral was held at York Minster in October, 2022. His family urged everyone to wear bright colours to remember their “sensitive, caring man”.
Writing on the Just Giving website, Jonathan Kelly, who launched the appeal, said: “Sam was a true performer, and any extra money raised will be donated to a UK charity supporting youth theatre, a cause close to Sam’s heart.
“Amy, Sam’s sister, is also looking at setting up a foundation in Sam’s name to support people who find themselves in a similar position to him and need extra support.”
Sam’s brave family donated the leftover funds to youth theatre because Sam had been so passionate about his career.
The young actor also starred in TV series Tales of Bacon, as well as film Babes with Blades.
