Scottish TV star Kenny Ireland, whose roles have included playing the ageing swinger Donald Stewart in ITV comedy series Benidorm, has died at the age of 68.

Actor Kenny Ireland who died today, aged 68.
Actor Kenny Ireland (Right) who died today, aged 68. Credit: ITV
His agent said he had died in the early hours of this morning, adding: "He had been ill with cancer for some time."

Ireland was a familiar face in Victoria Wood's series As Seen On TV, featuring in the cast of the regular Acorn Antiques segment.

He had directed productions such as Phaedra, Waiting for Godot and Dancing at Lughnasa for the stage and appeared in TV programmes such as Taggart and House of Cards.

But he was probably most famous for his long running role as Donald Stewart on ITV comedy Benidorm. He was written out of the series in June so he could concentrate on treatment in a bid to beat the disease.

RIP Kenny