Pat Laffan, who played milkman Pat Mustard in Father Ted has died.

He was 79 and in a long career on stage and screen also appeared in the 1993 film The Snapper.

His agent released a statement: “It is with tremendous sadness that we here at the Lisa Richards Agency can confirm Pat Laffan’s passing today...All here will remember him first and foremost as our friend and mentor and we will miss him terribly. We send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.”

Before finding fame as a cult sitcom star he appeared regularly at the Gate and Abbey theatres in Dublin.

Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan tweeted: "Rest in peace, Pat, a pleasure to work with you."