
Confirmed publicly for the first time today Degrassi actor Neil Hope (pictured far left), who played Derek ‘Wheels’ Wheeler passed away five years ago on November 25, 2007. Hope, who had lost contact with Epitome Pictures, the company that makes Degrassi, reportedly passed away of natural causes at the age of 35.
Degrassi creators Linda Schuyler and Stephen Stohn released a statement today regarding Hope’s passing, saying “Neil made an important contribution to our lives, to the lives of our television team who are like a family to us and indeed to the lives of the many Canadians and others around the world who were influenced by Neil and the roles he played, starting from the early days of The Kids of Degrassi Street.”
Stohn also took to Twitter to share his condolences, tweeting “We are all terribly saddened by this news http://m.toronto.com/article/713932?bn=1 Neil and his character Wheels in the early Degrassi deeply touched many lives” and “We have respected the privacy of the family by not saying anything until now, but our entire team is very emotional about his passing”. Kevin Smith, a long time fan of the Canadian show who has also guest starred on a number of episodes, tweeted this thoughts on Hope’s passing, saying the actor “will be missed”.

The_RealEli:
An amazing new weight loss product! It worked for me and I didnt even change my diet! http://t.co/PjjBXuVC
Wed, 23 May 2012 18:38:20 +0000

DG_Experience:
@MuchMusic @KaryDegrassi @MuchDegrassi Uh oh!
Wed, 23 May 2012 17:15:34 +0000

MuchMusic:
@DG_Experience @KaryDegrassi @MuchDegrassi Hooooold your horses... we haven't announced the date or time yet!
Wed, 23 May 2012 17:14:47 +0000

DG_Experience:
@KaryDegrassi Oh boy! Did @MuchMusic @MuchDegrassi make a mistake??
Wed, 23 May 2012 16:57:22 +0000

MissDegrassian:
RT @MunroCNation: RealEli please don't talk about that yet. I don't want to think about when all of you graduate.
Wed, 23 May 2012 11:59:48 +0000

hannahmeyerrrr:
@RealEli I love following you...definitely in a noncreepy or stalkerish way...if only you were the real Eli...ahem @The_Munro ;)
Wed, 23 May 2012 02:51:07 +0000
The_RealEli:
i fucking hate YouTube!!!! my recording fights days are over.. im done
Wed, 23 May 2012 01:57:55 +0000

samcheercutie:
@RealEli DON'T LEAVE ME!!!!!!! D,:
Wed, 23 May 2012 01:46:30 +0000

samcheercutie:
@RealEli Splendid! I have to wake up at 1am to catch a plane! :D #degrassidaily
Wed, 23 May 2012 01:45:48 +0000

erwinkl:
RT @Shehadastory: Does TrueClare miss Degrassi because she misses RealEli?
Tue, 22 May 2012 22:10:03 +0000

DrewTheOne:
RT @mayamatlin Visiting my sister @KatieMatlin...she looks the best she ever has!! #loveyousis
Tue, 22 May 2012 21:25:02 +0000

Shehadastory:
Does TrueClare miss Degrassi because she misses RealEli?
Tue, 22 May 2012 21:07:21 +0000

NextBIGThingNBT:
RT @TrueClare: LOL @HeartAlli RT Is it weird that I kinda miss Degrassi...Yes? Well... I'm just kidding...*shifty eyes*
Tue, 22 May 2012 20:56:00 +0000

TrueClare:
LOL @HeartAlli RT Is it weird that I kinda miss Degrassi...Yes? Well... I'm just kidding...*shifty eyes*
Tue, 22 May 2012 20:50:04 +0000

HeartAlli:
Is it weird that I kinda miss Degrassi...Yes? Well... I'm just kidding...*shifty eyes*
Tue, 22 May 2012 20:45:15 +0000

onlyfeardies:
@RealEli I'm not actually
Tue, 22 May 2012 20:42:31 +0000

The_Jami12:
@RealEli :D
Tue, 22 May 2012 20:20:21 +0000

xoFrap:
@RealEli I can't enjoy it cause I have to work :/
Tue, 22 May 2012 20:20:16 +0000

literarylolita:
GAH @RealEli is happy, which should make me happy, but it just makes me worry for Eclare. DAMMIT. #fangirlproblems
Tue, 22 May 2012 20:17:36 +0000