Actor Jon Kenny dies aged 66 after tragic cancer diagnosis

Jon Kenny best known as one half of the famous Irish comic duo d'Unbelievables with Pat Shortt, has tragically died aged 66.

The beloved star's death was confirmed by his wife, Margy, after he died on Friday at Galway Clinic, following a heart-breaking battle with cancer.

The Limerick native had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma when he was in his 40s but had made a recovery.

Last March, Jon revealed that the cancer returned in 2020 and after keeping the disease private, he revealed that he was undergoing treatment.

At the time, he shared: "I've been very lucky. I'm sure some people would say I've had bad luck, but I think when you come out the other end of anything, I think I've had a lot of good luck as well, everything has worked out for me.

"I had a double bypass which kind of brilliantly mended me, fixed me up and got me back on the road and then, my cancer came back again about three years ago.

Jon explained: "I was diagnosed with lung cancer and they removed the lower part of my left lung.

"That kept me going again for another while, but it came back again now last year, so, I'm just on treatment for that at the moment."

He continued: "But it's good the treatment is working. It's all going well, I'm very lucky.

"Some shows I'm doing is just to see how my body is going to hold up doing some travel, some work and some live performances."

Jon was scheduled to perform at The Schoolyard Theatre in Charleville, this evening but earlier this week the venue announced that the event had been cancelled.

Tributes have poured in for the legendary comedian as former Fine Gael councillor Bill O'Donnell said: "This is a great tragedy. I am very sad for his family. I am particularly saddened because mine and Jon's family have a long history together."

Jon Kenny is survived by his wife Margie, daughter Leah, son Aaron and his wider family.