FATHER TED star Ardal O'Hanlon has led tributes to the late Frank Kelly, who died yesterday aged 77.
Praise has poured in for the Dublin actor who was known and loved for playing foul-mouthed Father Jack in the Channel 4 series.
London-based co-star O'Hanlon, who played the hapless Father Dougal, described Kelly as "multi-talented, a gentleman and a friend", adding that the veteran actor had been in feisty form when then pair met just before Christmas.
"Very sad news about Frank Kelly," he told The Irish Post. "I had dinner with him before Christmas when he was in his usual feisty form.
"He loved a good argument...not in a Fr Jack way!" he joked.
O'Hanlon described Kelly, whose on-screen character Fr Jack Hackett coined the phrases 'Drink! Feck! Girls! Arse!', as a giant of the Irish entertainment industry.
Frank Kelly as Fr Jack Hackett Photo: Laura Hutton/RollingNews.ie"As a child I watched him on seminal comedy show Hall's Pictorial Weekly, which was compulsory viewing in our house," O'Hanlon added.
"Always a very determined hard-working character he was rightly proud of his long and varied career.
"If there was a Mount Rushmore to Irish entertainment he'd be on it."
The Father Ted cast including Ardal O'Hanlon, Dermot Morgan and Pauline McLynn Picture: Channel 4Frank Kelly's death came exactly 18 years to the day of that of his Father Ted co-star Dermot Morgan, who died on February 28, 1998.
"Isn't life just weird? Frank Kelly going on dad's anniversary... #ripfrankkelly #DermotMorgan," Dermot's son Don Morgan tweeted yesterday.
Tributes have poured in for the Irish entertainment giant...
Frank Kelly. A wonderful actor & kind generous man. Had the honour of working with him many years ago. A great storyteller. He'll be missed
— Allen Leech (@Allenleech) 28 February 2016
Always an absolute pleasure. He was such a talented, kind and funny gentleman. Such sad news. #Rip #frankkelly. pic.twitter.com/W6PGU2ly0z
— Lucy Kennedy (@KennedyLucy) 28 February 2016
Remembering Irish Actor Frank Kelly. Our deepest sympathies and condolences are with his family at this time. https://t.co/j9osy0mfGK
— Abbey Theatre (@AbbeyTheatre) 28 February 2016
Frank Kelly a selfless gentleman #rip
— KEITH DUFFY (@officialkeith) 28 February 2016
As well as his Craggy Island credentials, Frank Kelly was a well-established face on Irish screens with a career spanning over five decades and starring roles in shows including RTÉ's Wanderly Wagon and Glenroe.
He had suffered a number of setbacks in his health in recent years, including a five-year battle with bowl cancer.
Last October the much-loved actor had also spoken about being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.
"I’ve been working as an actor for over 50 years, and a shaky hand certainly won’t stop me," he said at the time.
WATCH: Frank Kelly as the cantankerous priest Father Jack Hackett
In 2010 Kelly joined the ITV soap Emmerdale and had also starred in Brendan O'Carroll's 2014 film Mrs Brown's Boys D'Movie.
"News of Frank Kelly's passing just reached us in Australia," said O'Carroll who is currently on tour with his Mrs Brown's Boys show. "Such a lovely man and a joy to work with. God bless him."
Father Ted creator Graham Linehan was also among those to pay tribute to Kelly - one of Ireland's most treasured actors.
"Just hearing from various sources that Frank Kelly has passed away," he wrote on Twitter. "Terribly sad news. Thanks for everything, Frank."
Irish actor Frank Kelly at the Irish Post Awards in 2008 Picture: Malcolm McNallyKelly received an Irish Post Award in 2008 for Lifetime Achievement in Drama and Television.
His first movie role was as a prison officer alongside Michael Caine in the 1969 film The Italian Job.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years Barbara, their seven children and 17 grandchildren.
