‘Benidorm’ star Kenny Ireland dies, aged 68

Benidorm

actor Kenny Ireland has passed away at the age of 68, following a battle with cancer.

The Scottish actor played Donald Stewart, one half of the ITV sitcom’s “swinging” couple, from its very first episode in 2007. He was also known to TV viewers for his roles in Victoria Wood’s Acorn Antiques and the original BBC version of House Of Cards.

In addition to his TV roles, Ireland served as director of the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh for ten years, between 1993 and 2003.

A spokesperson for ITV said of his passing:

“We are terribly saddened to hear that Kenny Ireland has passed away, our thoughts are with his family at this time. He was a much loved actor, not only by the cast and crew on Benidorm, but by the millions of fans out there. He appeared as Donald Stewart in Benidorm from the first episode and helped play a huge part in its success. He will be greatly missed.”

It had been announced in June that Ireland would be written out of Benidorm‘s upcoming seventh series due to his illness. Celebrity chef Rustie Lee, who appeared alongside him in an episode of Benidorm last year, has since paid tribute to the actor on Twitter.

R.I.P. Kenny Ireland (Donald from @BenidormTweets) My sincere condolences go out to his wife and family xx

— Rustie Lee (@rustie_lee) July 31, 2014

Ireland is survived by his wife, Meg, an entertainment agent who had originally put him forward for his much-loved role in Benidorm.

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