Father Ted actor Pat Laffan dies aged 79

Actor Pat Laffan, who played Pat Mustard in Father Ted, has died aged 79.

The Irish actor was best known for his portrayal of Craggy Island's smooth-talking milkman in the Channel 4 sitcom.

He also appeared in almost 40 films and made 30 television appearances, and was known to Irish audiences for his portrayal of Mr Burgess in Roddy Doyle's 1993 film The Snapper.

A statement from his representative said: "It is with tremendous sadness that we here at the Lisa Richards Agency can confirm Pat Laffan's passing today.

"Pat was one of the very first clients of the agency but much more than that, he was a close friend, a mentor and a hugely important supporter of the company's founders Lisa and Richard Cook and for many of the staff of the agency who had the pleasure to represent and work with him over the last almost thirty years."

It continued: "All here will remember him first and foremost as our friend and mentor and we will miss him terribly. We send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends."

Laffan was a member of the Abbey Theatre Company throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

He took up the role of director at the Peacock Theatre, and directed in the Gate Theatre between 1979 and 1982.

He also appeared in the BBC sitcom EastEnders and in the RTE medical drama The Clinic.