Introduction
Philip Neil Hope (September 24, 1972 – November 25, 2007), known as Neil Hope, was a Canadian actor best known for playing Derek "Wheels" Wheeler on Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High from 1987 to 1991. He had earlier played "Griff" in The Kids of Degrassi Street from 1979 to 1986.
Acting career
Hope's last television appearance was in a 2003 Degrassi: The Next Generation episode in which he reunited and reconciled with fellow members of the fictional band, "Zit Remedy". Hope moved around Ontario, living in Windsor and then in Hamilton.
Health
Hope was the child of alcoholics and struggled with the problem himself.He discussed his parents' alcoholism in a 1992 series called Degrassi Talks, and also made a documentary about children of alcoholic parents, called The Darker Side.
Hope suffered from type 1 diabetes, the effects of which were aggravated by alcoholism and his failure to keep up with insulin injections to manage the disease.
Death
Neil Hope died from a heart attack in a Hamilton rooming house on November 25, 2007. His death wasn't announced until 2012. He is buried at Woodland Cemetery located in Hamilton, Ontario.