Donald MacDonald dead aged 86: BBC children's TV star dies after cancer battle as family pay tribute to ‘true gentleman'
'SHOWBIZ GREAT' Donald MacDonald dead aged 86: BBC children's TV star dies after cancer battle as family pay tribute to 'true gentleman'
A LEGENDARY TV presenter hailed for hosting a beloved children's' show has died aged 86.
Donald Macdonald, best known for lighting up the screen on Play School, passed away on Monday after a brave battle with cancer.
Across his stellar 40-year career, Donald starred in stage productions and TV dramas.
His credits include John McKellar's A Cup of Tea, a Bex and a Good Lie Down.
News of the star's death was confirmed by journalist Craig Bennett.
He penned a moving tribute on Donald's social media which read: "One of our showbiz greats left us at 12:45am today.
"Donald Macdonald was a stalwart of stage and screen, who'd written smash-hit plays like Caravan, dazzled on London's West End, and delighted millions over the decades with his starring turns on TV series like Play School where he was a presenter from 1966 to 1969.
"He guested on shows from Certain Women, The Box, Cop Shop and Skyways, to the raunchy Alvin Purple, and in movies like Superman Returns. Donald was a dapper delight and always great company."
He added: "On Saturday we turned his hospital room into a party, laughs and smiles a-plenty, as Donald enjoyed some bubbly and lemon meringue pie.
"Blue was always his colour, even in a hospital gown! He gave his permission to post his last photo, saying 'what the heck!' Vale to a true gentleman."
Tributes have since poured in for the much-loved presenter.
One fan, and fellow actor, wrote: "Honoured to have appeared in two of his plays. The consummate gentleman. And, no one played a High Court Judge like Donald. RIP."
Another said: "We were VERY LUCKY to meet Donald through you both, get to know him, and be entertained by his lovely demeanor, sharp wit and of course his writing skills. What a lovely, gentle man."
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Donald Macdonald died of cancer on Monday
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