One of Ireland’s best-loved actors, the legendary David Kelly, has died in hospital after a short illness.

The popular Dubliner was one of the most recognisable voices and faces of Irish stage and screen.

The 82-year-old had played hundreds of roles — from Beckett and Shakespeare to Hollywood blockbusters.

He was best known in Ireland for his role as ‘Rashers’ Tierney in the award-winning series Strumpet City, as well as cowboy builder O’Reilly in UK sit-com Fawlty Towers. He also starred in popular soaps Emmerdale Farm in the 1980s and Glenroe in the 1990s.

In 2005, he appeared in Hollywood blockbuster Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. David, who was educated at Dublin’s Synge Street CBS, was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild award for his role in Waking Ned. Paying tribute, Arts Minister Jimmy Deenihan said: "David will always be associated with Strumpet City in which he displayed his unique blend of talent bringing a humanity to the character of 'Rashers' Tierney which remains unequalled. May he rest in peace."

The Gate Theatre’s Michael Colgan, who worked with David, said: "He was a very funny man and much loved. He had so many strings to his bow as he was also a great painter.

"He didn't just write - he was a calligrapher. He was the snazziest dresser I know. He had it all. He was an old fashioned gentleman - and wrote kind thank-you letters for every invitation he received." David is survived by his wife, Laurie, son David and daughter Miriam.

David Kelly remembered -