Filming for hit soap 'Emmerdale' was temporarily halted yesterday in order for cast and crew to attend the funeral of star Clive Hornby.

The 63-year-old actor, who played the part of Jack Sudgen for 28 years, passed away two weeks ago following months of ill health.

Clive's friends and family, who gathered to pay tribute to him at the Rawdon Crematorium in Leeds, were joined by colleagues Roxanne Pallett (Jo), Jenna Louise Coleman (Jasmine), Sammy Winward (Katie), Isobel Hodgins (Victoria) and Charley Webb (Debbie). Kelvin Fletcher (Andy) and Mark Charnock (Marlon) were pallbearers at the service.

Elizabeth Estensen, who plays Jack's wife Diane, read a moving eulogy, expressing how brave her co-star had been during his illness, which saw him finally take a break from the soap in February this year.

She said: "Clive endured the unendurable. He continued to work through harsh and traumatic times."

Actress Roxanne added: "He really was the father of 'Emmerdale'. It is going to take a while to get used to the fact that he's not going to walk back on set."

Clive joined the cast of the popular ITV show in 1980, taking over the role of Jack from Andrew Burt. His character married three times, while in reality Hornby wed one of his onscreen wives, Helen Weir (Pat).

Clive divorced Helen in 2000 after 16 years of marriage, and is survived by his son, 22-year-old Tom.