Declan Donnelly's brother Father Dermott Donnelly dies aged 55

Declan Donnelly's brother has died at the age of 55.

The 46-year-old TV star raced to be by his sibling Father Dermott Donnelly's side after he collapsed but the priest's death was confirmed on Friday (08.07.22) by the Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle.

A statement said: "It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of Fr Dermott Donnelly who died peacefully this afternoon in hospital.

"This has come as a great shock to all of us.

"Please pray for the repose of his soul and keep his family, especially his mother, in your prayers at this difficult time.

"Funeral arrangements will follow when finalised."

An insider had earlier revealed how Dec – one half of the presenting duo Ant and Dec – had returned to the north east of England to join his family at Father Dermott's bedside.

They told how the priest's loved ones had been praying that he would "pull through" after becoming "extremely unwell" in hospital.

The source said: "Dec arrived with other family members. There are around 12 of them there at the hospital."

Father Dermott conducted Dec's wedding to Ali Astall in 2015 in front of a star-studded guest list, which included the star's TV sidekick Ant McPartlin and presenter Dermot O'Leary.

The parish priest from County Durham was also recently pictured outside 10 Downing Street after being invited by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to join religious leaders to pray for peace in Ukraine.

Fr Donnelly said: "It was a real privilege to join Christian leaders from across many churches at Downing Street and to stand together in prayer, the silence was so profound.

"It was a moment when the power of vulnerability encountered the vulnerability of power. The best weapon we had was prayer."