TORONTO - "Degrassi" creator Linda Schuyler expressed condolences Thursday as word emerged that actor Neil Hope, who played Derek (Wheels) Wheeler on the long-running youth series, apparently died five years ago without any public announcement.

It wasn't clear why his death had not been reported previously, but a spokeswoman for Epitome Pictures, which produced the series, says contact had largely been lost with Hope over the past several years.

Schuyler said Thursday she was "terribly saddened to hear the news."

"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,"' Schuyler said in a joint statement with executive producer Stephen Stohn.

"His life was not an easy one but the time he spent with us was a shining example of determination, hard work and hopeful optimism and he is sorely missed."

Epitome spokeswoman Stephanie Cohen said Hope's former co-star Amanda Stepto, who played Christine (Spike) Nelson, alerted them to online rumours earlier in the week.

Cohen said they were unable to confirm details of Hope's passing but believed the rumours to be true.

In a tweet, Stohn said Degrassi executives had: "respected the privacy of the family by not saying anything until now," adding the "entire team is very emotional about his passing."

Reports said Hope -- who appeared on "Degrassi: The Next Generation," "Degrassi Junior High" and "The Kids of Degrassi Street" -- died Nov. 25, 2007 of natural causes.

But details of his final years were scarce.

Hope was conspicuously absent from a televised cast reunion on the CBC-TV show "Jonovision" in 1999. Cast members chuckled and threw up their hands when an audience member asked where Hope was. Host Jonathan Torrens followed up by asking if anyone was in touch with Hope and all the cast members shook their heads no.

Hope was one of "Degrassi"'s earliest stars, appearing as "Griff" on the first instalment of the series,"The Kids of Degrassi Street," in 1979.

He established a following as Wheels some eight years later on "Degrassi Junior High."

Hope's troubled character Wheels struggled with alcoholism, and the actor was candid about his own difficult childhood growing up with alcoholic parents.

Director Kevin Smith, a longtime "Degrassi" fan who appeared on the show as a guest star, tweeted about the news and said "he will be missed."

Facebook members who said they were relatives of Hope first posted a notice of Hope's death last month.

"It has been confirmed that Neil passed away Nov. 25, 2007. RIP You will always be in our hearts and always remembered. Now we all can be at peace. We miss you soo much!!!! xoxox," read a post on a fan group dedicated to Hope, posted Jan. 12.

The Twitterverse was abuzz with tributes to Hope as rumours of his death spread Thursday. A memorial page from a fan in Israel featured photos of Hope and a guest book for other fans to share condolences.