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Daily Record
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Donald Macdonald dies as tributes paid to popular kids TV presenter
Famed for hosting children's show Play School, the "showbiz great" lost his short battle with cancer on Monday. Veteran TV presenter Donald Macdonald has died aged 86. Famed for hosting children's show Play School, the "showbiz great" lost his short battle with cancer on Monday. As reported by the Mirror, his career spanned more than 40 years and saw him star in a number of stage shows - including John McKellar's A Cup of Tea, a Bex and a Good Lie Down - as well as TV dramas he also wrote. He is best remembered, however, for entertaining families on iconic BBC show Play School, which Donald presented from 1966 to 1969 alongside other famous faces, such as Trisha Goddard. Journalist Craig Bennett shared on his social media yesterday: "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." Bennett, who is based in Australia where Donald was born, added: "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." Donald enjoyed early success as a stage actor in Australia before moving to the UK in the mid-1960s to broaden his career. He was able to write more theatre work, including Caravan, a comedic play about three couples on a hapless holiday together. He continued to act, and film credits included Superman Returns and Kenny. However, a short journey with cancer put pay to acting and presenting in recent years, and Donald died in Australia on Monday. The performer spent time with his cousins Paula Duncan and Amelia Barrett during his last days. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. Mr Bennett's social media post continued: "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." Facebook users responded to the journalist's post, sharing their sadness at the showbiz star's passing. One 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 shared: "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."
Scottish Sun
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Donald MacDonald dead aged 86: BBC children's TV star dies after cancer battle as family pay tribute to ‘true gentleman'
Donald 'dazzled on London's West End' across his 40-year career '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." 1 Donald Macdonald died of cancer on Monday More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
The Irish Sun
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
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." Most read in News TV 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." 1 Donald Macdonald died of cancer on Monday More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at
Daily Mirror
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Tragedy as popular childrens' TV presenter dubbed 'a showbiz great' dies
A veteran TV presenter - famed for hosting childrens' show Play School - has died aged 86. Donald Macdonald, described as "a showbiz great", lost his short battle with cancer on Monday. His career, which spanned more than 40 years, saw Donald star in stage shows, including John McKellar's A Cup of Tea, a Bex and a Good Lie Down, and appear in TV dramas he also wrote. But he is best remembered for entertaining families on iconic BBC show Play School, which Donald presented from 1966 to 1969 alongside other famous faces, such as Trisha Goddard. Craig Bennett, a journalist, shared on his social media yesterday: "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." The journalist, who is based in Australia where Donald was born, added: "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." Donald enjoyed early success as a stage actor in Australia before moving to the UK in the mid-1960s to broaden his career. He was able to write more theatre work, including Caravan, a comedic play about three couples on a hapless holiday together. He continued to act, and film credits included Superman Returns and Kenny. But a short journey with cancer put pay to acting and presenting in recent years, and Donald died in Australia on Monday. The performer spent time with his cousins Paula Duncan and Amelia Barrett during his last days. Mr Bennett's social media post continued: "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." Facebook users responded to the journalist's post, sharing their sadness at the showbiz star's passing. One 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 shared: "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."
