The announcement of his passing comes on the eighteenth anniversary of his “Father Ted” co-star Dermot Morgan who passed away after suffering a heart attack on the 28th of February 1998. He went on to have a long and varied career in TV, film and theatre, including an uncredited role in the original Italian Job as a prisoner.
Advertisement
Frank went onto have a lengthy stint in Emmerdale as philanderer Dermot Macey, Declan’s dad, and his last film role was as Justice Cannon in Mrs Brown’s Boys D’Movie. I know Father Ted was the thing everyone knew him for. He was treated for skin cancer a year ago and also had heart problems.
“I’ve been working as an actor for over 50 years, and a shaky hand certainly won’t stop me”.
“I’m not going to let Parkinson’s beat me”.
He remained determined to continue working despite the diagnosis.
“I love that, I’m sure Graham Lineham wrote that”, he said.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years Bairbre, his 7 children and his 17 grandchildren.
Advertisement
He had previously battled bowel cancer, being given the all-clear in 2011. “It was my first diagnosis but I am quite confident that I have had this for years and years”, he explained.
