Father Ted comedian dies 10 days after diagnosis
TRIBUTES were paid yesterday to the Irish comedian best known in Britain as the abominable Father Fintan Stack in Father Ted.
Brendan Grace died 10 days after he was diagnosed with lung cancer.
The 68-year-old singer and all-round entertainer had been a fixture in Ireland for decades.
On Twitter, Ireland’s taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: “RIP Brendan Grace, an Irish comedy legend. One of the greats.”
The country’s president Michael D Higgins praised the father of four’s “delight in interaction with his audiences” which came from his “deep wellspring of Irish wit”.
Grace’s appearance in 90s Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted made him one of fans’ favourite guest stars.
He played Father Stack, who replaces Father Jack when the elderly alcoholic is forced to leave.
Stack infuriates Fathers Ted and Dougal by playing jungle music at 3am, drilling holes in the wall and insulting Ted’s friends.
Grace’s daughter Melanie Gillespie said her father had “the kindest heart”.