Kitty McGeever, first blind British soap actress dies at 44

Kitty McGeever played Lizzie Lakely in Emmerdale

Kitty McGeever, who played Lizzie Lakely in the popular ITV1 soap has passed away. The blind British soap actress who was famous for being the first blind actress to be featured in a soap is said to have been surrounded by close friends and family when she passed away.

Kitty on set

She joined Emmerdale in 2009 and played Lizzie until she was forced to quit in 2013 due to health reasons. The star's acting credits also include roles in London's Burning, Beyond Fear and Pie In The Sky. Kitty was delighted when she was recently cast in the upcoming film The Unfolding. However, her tragic passing comes just days before the blockbuster's premiere.

Kitty pictured on set as Lizzie

Kitty had been battling health problems for more than a decade following the death of her only son Felix. Kitty gave birth to her son Felix two months early and unfortunately, he suddenly developed heart and lung complication at the age of four months. The trauma took a serious toll on her together with stress suffered with heart problem, kidney failure and diabetic retinopathy, which triggered the loss of her sight. Laser treatment failed to save the actress from becoming blind and just five months later, and at the age of 32, she had lost her sight completely. Shortly afterwards, her son Felix died aged 15 months. Heartbroken Kitty then underwent a successful 12-hour kidney transplant operation. When she recovered, she was determined to pick up her life which is when she told her agent to send her for auditions again.

Britain's first blind actress on soap

A spokesman for the Emmerdale show said, 'Kitty was a great talent and a true inspiration to all who worked with her. The cast and crew are devastated at her passing and she will be missed tremendously and remembered fondly by all of us.'