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Father Ted star dies following battle with lung cancer

Photo credit: Jeremy Craine/Shutterstock
Photo credit: Jeremy Craine/Shutterstock

From Digital Spy

Father Ted star Brendan Grace has sadly passed away aged 68 after a short illness.

The comedian – who was also a singer – was perhaps best known for playing Father Fintan Stack in the classic Channel 4 series, and passed away in the early hours of today (July 11).

Grace was diagnosed with lung cancer over a week ago, which followed a diagnosis for pneumonia in June.

Photo credit: Channel 4
Photo credit: Channel 4

"Although he was aware of the outcome himself in the last few days when the cancer was diagnosed, it's a great shock to everybody," the late star's manager said on Virgin Media One's Ireland: AM programme (via The Guardian).

"He was very weak, he didn't wish to have chemo or anything like that, and the inevitable happened. He was one of the greats in modern entertaining, it's a huge loss."

Grace's character Father Fintan appeared in Father Ted episode 'New Jack City', where he uttered the now-famous line: "I've had my fun and that's all that matters."

Tributes have since flooded in for the star, including from Mrs Brown's Boys' Brendan O'Carroll, who tweeted: "So sad at the passing of a great comedy legend, husband and father #brendangrace

"He opened doors for so many of us and leaves a legacy of love and laughter that will echo through this land and we will all mourn his passing. Rest peacefully Bottler you've earned it."

Mock the Week host Dara O Briain added: "So sad to hear the news of the death of Brendan Grace. A genuine comedy legend in Ireland, when we were growing up he was the king of the entertainers. Sorry I never met him, but relieved I never had to follow him. RIP Brendan."


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