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Jamie Dornan's renowned obstetrician father Jim dies

Northern Irish actor Jamie Dornan (right) with his sister Jessica Dornan Lynas and father Dr Jim Dornan, during the Pancreatic Cancer charity NIPanC launch at the Mater Hospital in Belfast. (Photo by Liam McBurney/PA Images via Getty Images)
Jamie Dornan with his sister Jessica Dornan Lynas and father Jim Dornan. (Liam McBurney/PA Images via Getty Images)

Jamie Dornan's father, a leading obstetrician in Northern Ireland, has died aged 73.

The Fifty Shades Of Grey actor's father Jim Dornan is reported to have died in the UAE on Monday, after having previously been diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

Professor Dornan was a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist for more than 40 years, chair of health and life sciences at Ulster University and former chair in foetal medicine at Queens University Belfast.

Jamie's mother Lorna died from pancreatic cancer when he was 16, and Prof Dornan was chair of the Northern Ireland Pancreatic Cancer charity.

He also leaves behind his second wife Dr Samina Dornan and his two daughters Liesa and Jessica.

Prof Dornan's successful medical career also involved being made senior vice president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in London in 2004.

Dr Jim Dornan speaks at the Pancreatic Cancer charity NIPanC launch at the Mater Hospital in Belfast. (Photo by Liam McBurney/PA Images via Getty Images)
Jim Dornan was a leading obstetrician. (Liam McBurney/PA Images via Getty Images)

Paying tribute to him, DUP MP Ian Paisley said: "It is with great sadness that I learnt this morning of the passing of world renowned professor Jim Dornan.

"Jim was a wonderful man, he was engaged in political lobbying and promotion of many medical and non-medical issues.

Read more: Negative Fifty Shades reviews motivated Jamie Dornan

"His ambition, expressed often to me, was to see Northern Ireland and its people flourish and be the best.

"No obstacle was ever insurmountable for him and he was a great source of encouragement."

Deputy first minister Michelle O'Neill and Northern Ireland's chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride also offered their condolences to his family at the news.

Prof Dornan appeared as a policeman in The Fall alongside his son's starring role as a serial killer, and has also had a small part in Anna Friel police drama Marcella.

Irish actor Jamie Dornan attends the premiere of
Jamie Dornan was joined by his dad on The Fall. (Geoff Robins/AFP via Getty Images)

But when Jamie played a doctor in The 9th Life Of Louis Drax, his dad didn't offer him any character tips.

Jamie told BBC America at the time: "My dad will always try to give me some tips or advice on every character I play whether it’s a serial killer or sexual dominant.

"This is the one job where I even asked him for some advice and he didn’t give it to me."

Watch: Jamie Dornan sings sad songs in the shower