Emmerdale’s Shadrach actor likened soap to “prison” as he explained why he left

Emmerdale legend Andy Devine, who has sadly passed away aged 79, admitted he was glad he was killed and spoke about his fears of death while still working on the ITV soap

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Emmerdale: Devine’s final scene as Shadrach Dingle in 2010

Andy Devine is best known for his role as Shadrach Dingle – but he compared Emmerdale to being in prison.

The legendary actor, whose sad death in January aged 79 was announced this week, spent a decade on the ITV soap opera between 2000 and 2010.

Shadrach was the selfish and lazy father of Chas Dingle and also raised Cain Dingle who believed he was his father until Zak’s affair with Faith was exposed.

In Andy’s first scene, the drunk Shadrach was in such a state that he fell asleep at his nephew Butch’s funeral in the church.

In early 2020, the character only appeared episodically from time to time as Andy felt he couldn’t keep up with his busy schedule at age 68.

He then decided to retire from acting, and Shadrach got a grisly ending that was approved by the actor who played him.

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After spending the better part of 10 years as an Emmerdale star, Andy has been refreshingly honest about his departure from the show – even comparing it to prison.

“I think it’s a bit like getting out of prison – it takes a couple of weeks for the bubble to burst. Even if you kill your wife, you only get 10 years probation,” he said Manchester evening news.

Andy confessed that he feared he was going to die while still in the Emmerdale role and decided to leave while he could.

He added, “I figured if I’m not careful I’ll be like the others who die on the show. I wasn’t stupid with my money, I was thrifty, I guess I figured I’m going to put that away for old age, then I realised, wait a minute, that’s my age!”

Schadrach suffered from alcohol-related liver disease and was rejected by many family members.

Marlon decided to take his uncle in after he accidentally ran him over, but he kicked him out after a drinking session.

In July 2010, Shadrack was reeling from pain caused by his liver condition and dropped his six-pack of beer in the river.

He lost his balance trying to get the cans out of the water and ended up drowning – with his lifeless body, which Marlon and Rhona found.

While Marlon blamed himself, an autopsy confirmed that Shadrach would have died of a ruptured liver within the next few hours, even if he had not drowned.

Andy said I had to get in the river it was a mix of rat pee and they wanted me to sink for 10 seconds. But then they wanted to do it again so they dried me off just to throw me back in.

“But I liked my ending because it was underplayed. Usually they just blow you up or something.

“I’m glad I got killed because otherwise I might have one of those days where I’d call my agent and say, ‘Get me back.’ Now the curtain is very much up.”

The actor then starred in his first panto role in Snow White alongside Coronation Street actress Tina O’Brien.

He previously starred as the Draconian Guard in several episodes of the Doctor Who story Frontier in Space and as Bernard in Channel 4’s Queer As Folk.

Tragically, it was announced this week that Andy had passed away in January of this year.

Public records confirm Andy died on January 27, but his cause of death has still not been confirmed.

A Twitter user wrote in tribute, writing: “Gone too soon. What a legend. RIP Andy Devine.”

“So sad to hear from Andy Devine,” added another.

Meanwhile, a third wrote: “When I think of Emmerdale, I think of him.”

“Sad news RIP Andy Devine. Brilliant actor,” said a fourth.

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