Children’s TV presenter Donald Macdonald, famed for hosting BBC show Play School, has died aged 86.
The veteran actor died on Monday shortly after being diagnosed with cancer and is remembered for his long-running theatre and TV career – with some praising him as a ‘showbiz great’.
The late Australian star was one of the presenters on BBC’s hit children’s show Play School in the late 1960s.
‘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,’ journalist Craig Bennett announced on social media.
His tribute called Macdonald a ‘dapper delight and always great company’.
The post shared an insight into MacDonald’s final days, continuing: ‘His cherished cousin Paula Duncan and Amelia Barrett have been in residence as his last days approached.
‘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!’
His credits also include a feature in 2006’s Superman Returns and TV show Darwin’s Brave New World.
Tributes have flooded in for the screen and stage star.
‘I was so sorry to read the news about Donald’s passing Craig – I have fond memories of times spent with him. He was such a kind man and was always great fun,’ Darren Gray wrote on Facebook.
‘Honoured to have appeared in two of his plays. The consummate gentleman. And, no one played a High Court Judge like Donald. RIP,’ Joanna Walker shared.
‘So many memories of Donald Macdonald’s incredible career,’ Jane Tory reflected.
‘Ohh such devastating unwelcome news. What a gentleman and lovely friend. I’m deeply saddened,’ Steven Tandy echoed.
‘Fortunate to have some lovely memories of happy times with Donald. A gentleman and a gentle man,’ David Green agreed.
His IMDb credits also include Darwin’s Brave New World, Superman Returns and 1972’s The Pathfinders.
The Australian born star, who lived in the UK for several years, most recently appeared in the ABC drama Rake which is available to stream on Channel 4.
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