Actress Leah Bracknell's widower Jez Hughes has written an emotional tribute to his late wife, saying his "heart is truly broken" following her death.
The former Emmerdale star died at the age of 55 in September after a three-year battle with lung cancer.
Hughes paid tribute to Bracknell in a moving message posted to Facebook, in which he described her as his "darling wife, best friend and soul mate" and "the bravest person I've ever met".
He wrote: "Thank you everyone for all your kind words, prayers and love. They mean the world to me at this time and I apologise that I can't respond individually as I haven't the words in me right now.
"My darling wife, best friend and soul mate flies free in spirit. I have been the luckiest man in the world to spend time walking, dancing, laughing, praying, dreaming, singing, drumming, talking, travelling, crying, planning, hoping, loving, going wild, exploring, rebelling, forgiving, celebrating, playing, sharing secrets at dawn, opening hearts, minds and soul - alongside a woman of such depth, power, humour, humility, honour, intelligence and love - it is impossible to do justice to with the transient, flimsy power of words."
Hughes said the actress, who was born Alison Bracknell, faced "the last three years of cancer with dignity, grace and light".
"She shone bright in this world with fire in her heart and water in her soul. The great mystery of existence always visible through her beautiful eyes," he continued.
"She inspired and changed the lives of so many, loved ones and strangers alike. Every day I learn of more people who she helped which brings the warmth of pride and gratitude to have known her into my heart.
"She taught me more than I'm able to comprehend and we shared more than I dreamt was possible in this life. More than either of us thought was possible."
Hughes concluded: "My heart is truly broken and the pain is intense as I wander aimlessly, waiting to awake from this dream, from hour to hour, day to day.
"My only prayer is that through the burning down of everything that I hold sacred and precious, through this raw, primal, timeless wound, something else will arise and I am able to embody just a little of Ali's grace, bravery, tenacity, and lightness, in order to serve her legacy well in the world."
Bracknell played the character Zoe Tate in ITV's popular soap Emmerdale for 16 years until 2005.
Paying tribute, ITV described her as a "hugely popular member of the Emmerdale cast".
Everyone on Emmerdale is very sad to hear of the death of Leah Bracknell. She was a hugely popular member of the Emmerdale cast for over 16 years. Leah was a very generous and caring colleague, much loved by cast and crew alike. #Emmerdale pic.twitter.com/qeTXBXGToM
— Emmerdale (@emmerdale) October 16, 2019
She also had roles in Judge John Deed, A Touch Of Frost, The Royal Today and DCI Banks.
Bracknell married Hughes, her long-term partner, in 2017 after she discovered her cancer treatment had stopped working.
