RTE Fair City actor David Heap passes away aged 76 as wife confirms he ‘died in her arms’ in tearful tribute

‘He was a special man and a beautiful soul’
RTE Fair City star David Heap has sadly passed away aged 76 just days after Christmas.

David, who starred as Donal Maher in the hit soap for over a decade, was diagnosed with a rare neurodegenerative disease called called Corticobasal Syndrome in 2024.

The actor’s beloved wife Olwen Fouéré confirmed the heartbreaking news that her husband had died in her arms over on Instagram last night.

She shared a snap of the star and wrote: “Farewell to my beloved David Richard Heap who died in my arms at home today December 30th 2025.

“Born in Cinderford, Gloucestershire on 21st May 1949, he moved to Ireland after playing the original Captain Lancey in the world premiere of Translations by Brian Friel in 1980, the first ever production from Field Day theatre company created by Stephen Rea and Brian Friel.

“He was a special man and a beautiful soul. Go well, my love xxx.”

In a statement, an RTE spokesperson said: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of our friend and colleague, David Heap.

“David portrayed Donal Maher in Fair City for more than a decade and was a wonderfully talented actor.

“He relished playing the show’s ‘baddie’ and will be fondly remembered for some of the programme’s most memorable storylines, including his long-running affair with Nicola, his IT company Blue Dolphin, and his dramatic confrontations with Paul Brennan.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Olwen and David’s family, friends and colleagues. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”

Fouéré previously opened up about David’s diagnosis while speaking to Joe Duffy on RTE’s The Meaning Of Life.

She said: “I think it’s been building for a while. He knew there was something wrong and this particular disease, called Corticobasal Syndrome, it’s a particular type of protein that attacks the brain – so it’s a brain disease and it affects everything.

“The symptoms are similar to Parkinson’s. Similar to motor neurone, similar to all, you know, the whole spectrum. And it’s progressive and terminal.”

Fouéré, who starred opposite Jamie Dornan as Niamh Cassidy in season two of the BBC series The Tourist, opened up on how hard it was for her to take the news.

She explained: “I find it hard to talk about it without crying, and I remember we were in the room with the neurologist, and [when] they said that I wept.

“They were really great because they were telling him and … one of the symptoms of the disease is a kind of apathy. It’s a sort of passiveness, which is maybe a blessing.”

TEARY TRIBUTES

Born in Cinderford, Gloucestershire on May 21st 1949, David moved to Ireland after playing the original Captain Lancey in the world premiere of Translations by Brian Friel in 1980.

David has worked as an actor since the 80s and has starred in an array of well known TV series including Ballykissangel, The Clinic and Father Ted.

The Gate Theatre Dublin took to Facebook today to reminisce on some plays that David starred in.

The theatre posted photos of David in Les Liasons Dangereuses in 1987, Salomé- David Heap and Olwen Fouéré in 1989, Salomé in 1989 and The Importance of Being Earnest in 1987.

They wrote: “We are very saddened to learn of the passing of the actor, David Heap. David performed memorably in many Gate Theatre productions including Salomé, The Importance of being Earnest and Les Liaisons Dangereuses.

“Sending our love and condolences to his wife, Olwen Fouéré, his family and his friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.”