Popular Playschool presenter dies after battle with cancer
Australian actor Donald Macdonald has died aged 86 after a battle with cancer.
The former Playschool presenter had a theatre and television career in Australia and the UK which spanned more than 40 years.
Journalist Craig Bennett shared the news of Macdonald's death to his social media on Monday.
'One of our showbiz greats left us at 12:45am today,' the post read.
'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.'
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'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.'
Craig said Macdonald spent time with his cousins Paula Duncan and Amelia Barrett in his last days.
'On Saturday we turned his hospital room into a party, laughs and smiles a-plenty, as Donald enjoyed some bubbly and lemon meringue pie,' he continued.
'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.'
Others also paid tribute to the Australian icon, with one writing: 'Honoured to have appeared in two of his plays. The consummate gentleman. And, no one played a High Court Judge like Donald. RIP.'
'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,' another wrote.
'A sad day! Another stalwart of the Australian television industry has left us,' a third commented.
'Ohh such devastating unwelcome news. What a gentleman and lovely friend. I'm deeply saddened,' another said.
Macdonald began his career at Sydney's famous Music Hall.
He has starred in several theatre shows including Is Australia Really Necessary, A Cup of Tea, a Bex and a Good Lie Down.
The actor had guest roles in A Country Practice, Come in Spinner, Rafferty's Rules, Heroes II, GP, Jag, and Rake.
He has also appeared in Skippy the Bush Kangaroo, The Pathfinders, Alvin Purple, Certain Women, Skyways, Chopper Squad, Demolition, Secret Valley, A Town Like Alice and Cop Shop.
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