Crowdfunder launched to bring Emmerdale actor home to North Yorkshire after his sudden death in the US

An actor from Selby who appeared in Emmerdale has died suddenly while in the United States.

Sam Gannon, 31, who played Kev in the Yorkshire soap in 2019, was staying with family in Willows, California, when he died. 

His death is not being treated as suspicious.

A crowdfunder has been started. All donations will be put towards the repatriation of his body from the US and his funeral.

His sister Amy Kelly, who lives in Howden, told ITV News he was “a whirlwind, a unique character”.

She said: “He genuinely cared for others and was a very sensitive soul.”

Justine Spencer met Sam in York and used to host rehearsals at her house for his funk and soul band Das Happy.

“We used to have lots of fun in rehearsals. I wasn’t part of the band. I was just the one hosting. Sam was so much fun. Everyone that knew him enjoyed his energy,” she said.

“He was a very funny, positive, energetic young man and it’s just devastating to hear that he’s no longer with us.

“All of the friends that I’ve been speaking to are just struggling to accept what’s happened and struggling to believe that someone was such vibrancy and such high energy isn’t here because he should be and we all miss him dreadfully.”

Here is the link to the crowdfunding page to help Sam’s family