.Father Ted star Frank Kelly, who played Father Frank, has died aged 77
- .Today marks the 18th anniversary of the death of co-star Dermot Morgan
- .In November Kelly revealed he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's
- .Survived by his wife of 51 years, Bairbre, 7 children and 17 grandchildren
Actor Frank Kelly, best-known for playing foul-mother Father Jack in Father Ted, has died aged 77.
The Irish star, who was married to wife Bairbre for 51 years, revealed last November he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's. He was also treated for skin cancer in 2014.
Today marks exactly 18 years since the death of his Father Ted co-star Dermot Morgan, who played the title role in the much-loved sitcom.
Much-loved: Frank Kelly as Father Jack (seated) and, from left to right, Pauline McLynn as Mrs. Doyle, Dermot Morgan as Father Ted and Ardal O'Hanlon as Father Dougal
Beloved: Kelly is survived by his wife of 51 years Bairbre, pictured, seven children and 17 grandchildren
Kelly, who played Father Jack between 1995 and 1998, is survived by his wife of 51 years Bairbre, seven children and 17 grandchildren.
Graham Linehan, who co-wrote Father Ted with Arthur Mathews, was among the stage and screen stars who took to Twitter to pay tribute to the actor.
He wrote: 'Just hearing from various sources that Frank Kelly has passed away. Terribly sad news. Thanks for everything, Frank.'
Brendan O'Carroll, who co-starred with Kelly in 2014 film Mrs Brown's Boys D'Movie, wrote: 'News of Frank Kelly's passing just reached us in Australia.
'Such a lovely man and a joy to work with. God bless him xx'.
Actor David Morrissey posted: 'Sad news about Frank Kelly. I know Father Ted was the thing everyone knew him for. I worked with him on The Deal and he was such a great guy'.
Missed: Graham Linehan, who co-wrote Father Ted with Arthur Mathews, took to Twitter to pay tribute
Co-star: Brendan O'Carroll acted alongside Kelly in 2014 comedy Mrs Brown's Boys D'Movie
Dermot Morgan's son, Don Morgan, said he could not believe Kelly had died on the anniversary of his father's death. Morgan died from a heart attack after a dinner party on February 28, 1998.
He tweeted: 'Isn't life just weird? Frank Kelly going on dad's anniversary.'
Born in Ireland in 1938, Kelly enjoyed a decade spanning six decades with success in television, radio, theatre and film.
His first film role was as an uncredited prison officer in 1969 hit The Italian Job, when he escorted Michael Caine's character, Charlie Croker, out of prison in the film’s opening sequence.
He starred in popular Irish children's programme Wanderly Wagon from 1968-1982, playing a number of different characters and writing a number of the scripts.
Kelly gained more recognition for his role on satirical show Hall's Pictorial Weekly.
Soap star: Kelly was cast in Emmerdale in 2010. Pictured, Sapphia Elia, Kelly, Jason Merrells and Corinne Wicks, who played family Mia, Dermot, Declan and Ella Macey on the soap
Remarkable: Don Morgan, the son of Father Ted star Dermot Morgan, pointed out how news of Kelly's death had emerged on the 18th anniversary of his father's death. Morgan died from a heart attack in 1998
Tribute: Actor David Morrissey, who worked with Kelly in TV movie The Deal, also remembered the star
But it was his role on Father Ted which made Kelly a household name. His character was best known for spouting 'Drink!', 'Fe**', 'A**e!' and 'Girls!'.
The programme about three priests and their housekeeper living on the fictional Craggy Island, somewhere off Ireland's west coast, attracted huge audiences in Ireland, Britain and abroad.
It aired over three series between 1995 and 1998 and won a string of Bafta awards.
Father Jack was an alcoholic and at times violent clergyman who made no attempt to mask his contempt for his fellow priests.
In 2010 it was announced Kelly had been cast in Emmerdale as Dermot Macey, the eccentric father of businessman Declan Macey (Jason Merrells).
However he left the soap after just five months of filming because he missed his family in Ireland too much. In 2014 Kelly starred in Mrs Brown's Boys D'Movie.
In November last year, Kelly revealed he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's but insisted he would not let it slow his career.
According to RTE, he said at the time: 'I've been working as an actor for over 50 years, and a shaky hand certainly won't stop me. I remain open to offers for work on stage and screen.
'I'm quite available and my mobile is always on.'
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