Father Ted, Emmerdale & Casualty star Ben Keaton dies aged 70 as tributes pour in
ACTOR Ben Keaton who starred in Father Ted, Emmerdale and Casualty has died at the age of 70.
Touching tributes have poured in for the much-loved TV star.
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Ben played Father Austin Purcell in the legendary Irish comedy series.
He died in Lincoln County Hospital on Friday.
His death notice said: “Ben will be forever greatly missed, loved and fondly remembered by his ex-wife Polly, son Waldo and daughter Daisy, brothers Des and Thom, sister Jeanette.”
Paying tribute to the star, the Nottingham Playhouse said: “We are so sorry to hear of the death of Ben Keaton, a wonderful actor who is fondly remembered in our 2008 production of Vertigo.
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“Sending our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.”
A Father Ted fan account on X, previously Twitter, posted: “Saddened to hear of the passing of actor Ben Keaton.
“We knew him as Father Austin Purcell (one of my favourite one-off characters).
“He was a regular at ComicCon events, so I imagine many got to meet him over the years.
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“My thoughts are with his family, friends, and many fans.”
Ben also had an extensive career on stage, taking on a wide range of productions for The Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, where he could be seen in an number of plays from American Buffalo to Hay Fever.
He also co-established the improv group South of the River and also had a senior role at the Creative Academy.
During his lengthy career he also picked up a number of awards, including the 1986 Perrier Comedy Award and two Best Actor accolades from the Manchester Evening News, culminating in a nomination for the prestigious Laurence Olivier Awards.
One fan wrote on X: “RIP Ben Keaton. A great actor and comedian – there can be little praise higher (if at all) in that he stole the scene every time he appeared in Father Ted.
“Off to the great parochial house in the sky.”
Keaton’s ex-wife Polly shared on Facebook: “So incredibly sorry to say Ben Keaton died last night. It was very sudden and we are all in shock.
“We had separated several years ago but we had half a lifetime together and infuriated and made each other cry with laughter in equal measure.”
Keaton also wrote for television, penning episodes of the children’s show Balamory for BBC Digital, the series Gumtree for Channel 4 and five series of Hubbub for the BBC.
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