DOWNTON Abbey star Michelle Dockery’s Irish fiancé John Dineen has died in hospital aged 34 after suffering a long-term illness.
The award-winning actress, whose father hails from Co. Westmeath, had been in a two-year relationship with the London-based public relations director, who died on Sunday morning in a hospice in Ireland.
Dineen, a Cork native, had been receiving care at the Marymount hospice, and in his final days it is understood that Dockery had been by his side.
Dineen who worked as a senior director at FTI consulting in London, who had previously studied in Dublin, was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour earlier this year.
The pair had been in a relationship since 2013, after they were introduced by Downton actor Allen Leech.
“The family is very grateful for the support and kindness they have received but would kindly request that they are left to grieve in private,” a spokeswoman for the actress said.
Dockery played Lady Mary Crawley in the ITV drama Downton Abbey, which will conclude with a final episode on Christmas Day at 8.45pm.
Dineen’s family have appealed for privacy as they make preparations for a private funeral service in Co. Cork on Wednesday, following the removal in Cork this evening.
