Father Ted icon famous as ‘disgusting’ Father Jack was | UK News

Francis Kelly, better identified as Frank, had a long profession on our tv screens, most famously as Father Jack Hackett in the Channel 4 show Father Ted. As it seems, the real-life man behind the character could not have been more different. The sitcom aired for three seasons from 21 April 1995 until 1 May 1998 across the UK and remained a firm fan-favourite  comedy throughout the last decade. His character was famed for being ‘foul-mouthed’ and illiterate, consistently swearing, shouting and consuming copious quantities of alcohol. 

Set on Craggy Island, a fictional distant location in Ireland, Father Ted adopted three monks all dwelling together in a parochial home after being exiled by the bishop for unruly behaviour. The show sees the monks take on issues of the church as they also deal with Father Ted’s scheming methods with the parish and island residents.

Kelly tragically handed away in February 2016 at the age of 77, after struggling a coronary heart assault, but left behind a legacy very different to that of his rowdy character. In an uncommon flip of occasions, he handed away on the same date as his fellow co-star Dermot Morgan, identified for taking part in Father Ted, on the 18th anniversary of his death. 

While he was still alive, as a half of a 1997 interview for the Irish Times, Deirdre Falvey described him to be “further from Father Jack”. She said: “Urbane, articulate, thoughtful, fit (he swims and hikes), charming company, full of stories, and quite serious, though his conversation is punctuated by the occasional burst of laughter — he is reputably a great slagger with colleagues and is very well liked.”

At the time of his passing, one of the writers of Father Ted, Graham Linehan, paid a touching tribute in a social media post. He shared: “Just hearing from various sources that Frank Kelly has passed away. “Terribly unhappy news. Thanks for every thing, Frank.”

Another co-star, Ardal O’Hanlon, shared his condolences at the time, referring to his colleague as a “gentleman”. He wrote: “Very unhappy news. We had lunch together at Christmas when he was in his typical feisty type.

“Frank was an all-round talent, an institution in Irish entertainment, a very determined professional, and he’ll be greatly missed by all who knew him.”

Sharing a related sentiment, Irish president Michael D Higgins described Kelly as “a friend”. He remembered him as a “distinguished actor who made such a wide and valued contribution both on the stage and in film.” 

He additional acknowledged: “He will forever be remembered for his roles. To his wife, Bairbre, and his family, I send deepest sympathy, for theirs is the greatest loss of such a great and loving person.”