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Drake Hogestyn’s cause of death has been announced.

The actor, who was well known for playing John Black in the long-running NBC soap Days of Our Lives, died on September 28 at the age of 70.

People reports that a death certificate confirms he died from pancreatic cancer, while other contributing factors to his death included vomiting, dehydration and whole body toxicity.

The actor was cremated at Rose Family Funeral Home in Simi Valley, California.

His death was announced by his family in a statement posted to the official Days Of Our Lives Instagram account. It read: “It’s with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Drake Hogestyn. He was thrown the curve ball of his life when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but he faced the challenge with incredible strength and determination.

“After putting up an unbelievable fight, he passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones.

“He was the most amazing husband, father, papa and actor. He loved performing for the Days audience and sharing the stage with the greatest cast, crew and production team in the business.

“We love him and we will miss him all the Days Of Our Lives.”

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Hogestyn joined the soap in 1986 and featured over the years as a prominent cast member.

“This is a very difficult one for all of us,” Days of Our Lives executive producer Ken Corday said in a statement to People. “Hogey was the ultimate team player and there are not sufficient words to express how deeply he will be missed. His impact on our show, personally and professionally, was profound and will forever remain unmatched.”

Actor Alison Sweeney, who portrayed Samantha Brady, hailed Hogestyn as an “incredible man”.

In an Instagram post featuring a photo of the pair hugging, she added: “He was funny, generous and thoughtful. He cared about every single scene, every person.

“He loved Days, the fans, and shared that passion with everyone on set.

“My heart breaks for his family, they meant everything to him. He was such a huge part of my life at Days.

“I will miss him terribly and treasure every story, every joke & every hug.”

Kristian Alfonso, who played Hope Williams Brady, said she will always remember her late co-star as a “loving father, husband and dear friend, but mostly an incredible, passionate human being, generous and immensely kind, always”.

She paid tribute in an Instagram post with a video of photos of them laughing and smiling together.

She thanked him for the love he gave everyone on and off set, adding: “You were always our hero. Love you. Rest in peace my sweet friend.”

TOMMY Fury ‘sent a secret message’ to Molly-Mae Hague live on This Morning after he was quizzed on the cheating allegations.

The pair, who met on ITV2’s Love Island in 2019, shocked fans when they announced their shock split in August.

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Earlier today Tommy appeared on ITV’s breakfast show This Morning to talk about his new book Lightening Strikes Twice.

During his chat with hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shepherd, the boxer opened up about what the novel is about – and new chapter he added after their shock split.

Tommy could have sent out a message to Molly-Mae while on our screens as he is still wearing his promise ring that she got him.

It’s not the first time he’s worn the piece of jewellery recently.

Last month fans pointed out a huge clue that he was sending a sign to ex fiancée in one of his YouTube videos.

The reality favourite was seen wearing the gold band, that he wore before their engagement last year, on his finger throughout.

During his stint on This Morning, Tommy was faced with accusations that he had been unfaithful to Molly-Mae.

Ben said: “How do you deal with those critics because Molly-Mae put a statement out about the relationship, about the fact the relationship had ended, and (they) immediately jumped to the conclusion that you had done something wrong?

Tommy replied: “Yeah, no of course. I mean there have been a lot of critics out there and there will be critics out there until the day I die.

“Everyone will jump on the bandwagon when there’s a bandwagon to jump on.

“But at the end of the day, you know, out of respect for Molly and out of respect for myself and our relationship, I’m going to let us deal with that in private as much as we can.

“I’m just happy to be here today to talk about me book, and I want to leave all that stuff to me and Molly. We owe the respect to ourselves to do that.”

Ben was keen to get more out of the boxer.

The presenter added: “You did add an extra chapter, and there is one accusation you have addressed and there is this accusation that you cheated on Molly.”

Tommy told the hosts: “Yeah. Like I said I’m going to leave that for me and Molly to work through.

Timeline of Molly-Mae and Tommy Fury’s split

After five years together, Molly-Mae and Tommy Fury split up in August 2024.

At around 4pm on Wednesday, August 14, Molly-Mae and Tommy suffer an explosive showdown and Molly-Mae announces her split from fiancé Tommy Fury, saying ‘ I never imagined our story would end, especially not this way’.

An hour later Tommy shares a separate and brief statement confirming they have parted ways, and thanks Molly-Mae for making him ‘a dad’.

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The real reason they split emerges and on Thursday, August 15 The Sun reveals how Molly-Mae learned Tommy had cheated on her – leading to an explosive showdown.

On Saturday, August 17, The Sun reveals how Molly-Mae had been sent an upsetting video showing Tommy kissing a girl in a nightclub in North Macedonia on a lads holiday.

Exactly one week after the split a Danish woman accused of getting close to Tommy speaks to The Sun. On Wednesday, August 21, she denies she is the girl who kissed Tommy.

“At the end of the day a lot of that stuff has been put out there.

“The whole world has seen what we’ve been going through for the past month or two months, however long it has been.”

But Ben wanted to press for more, saying: “In the book you categorically deny it.”

“Yeah in the last chapter in there what I did was add all my feelings in there,” Tommy replied.

“I felt freely in the book to speak So that’s why I added the last chapter to keep everybody up to date.

“And it has been tough but you can read about it all in there.”

Molly and Tommy met in 2019.

The pair, who share a daughter called Bambi, got engaged last year.

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STRICTLY Come Dancing star Chris McCausland has admitted that he and Dianne Buswell have been left covered in bruises amid intense show rehearsals.

The comedian and his pro partner made the stark admission during an appearance on spin-off show, It Takes Two.

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The duo are currently preparing to perform a Salsa routine this weekend on the show but have been hit by injuries during the long days of training and rehearsal.

Chris let his feelings be known about the dance as he insinuated it had been his hardest week of training to date but had pushed himself to his limits in order to perfect the routine.

Speaking to show host Janette Manrara, Chris said: “It’s been intense.

“There has been more lifts in it than Canary Wharf!

“There is tricks and lifts and we are both covered in bruises.”

Chris then pointed down to Dianne’s leg as he revealed she had been forced to apply body make-up across her legs in order to cover up her multitude of bruisings from this week’s training.

Comedian Chris then joked: “She’s had to use make-up to cover up all over her legs so it doesn’t look like I’ve been beating her up.”

Appearing exasperated, he then said: “It has been full-on.”

Despite this, Dianne admitted that training was going well thanks to Chris’ musicality which had allowed him to confidently pick up the moves required for the salsa.

Earlier this week, Strictly fans were left furious with Toyah Wilcox as she appeared to take a major swipe at Chris during her appearance on It Takes Two.

When she was asked if she had any advice for her fellow remaining celebs after she had been given the boot, Toyah laughed and started clapping, before pointing at the camera and shouting: “If you don’t want to do a dance off, get rid of Chris!”

Fleur then looked off camera and grimaced while Toyah then clarified: “You are all going to have to face a dance off.”

But her comment infuriated fans who took to social media to vent.

However, Toyah is now keen to set the record straight, and posted her own message on Instagram.

Sharing a picture of Chris, the singer wrote: “Just to clarify and clear up any confusion that’s flying around.

“My good friend @chrismccausland, is my favourite to win this year, I think he is inspiring and brilliant, he has worked so hard and I wish him nothing but love! Toyah x.”

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