Kenny Ireland leaves Benidorm shoot after cancer diagnosis

Benidorm star Kenny Ireland has been written out of the show's current series, as he battles cancer.

The Scottish actor, who has played sex-mad swinger Donald Stewart on the Spanish-set ITV show since 2007, is being supported by his family as he undergoes treatment.

A show insider told The Sun: "The diagnosis was crushing for Kenny and his family. This is obviously a very difficult time for them and they are coping as best as they can.

"The priority is Kenny's health. As soon as he was given the news, he pulled out of the latest series of Benidorm which, of course, everyone understood."

The source added: "He has been a popular member of the cast for many years and the entire team's thoughts and best wishes are with him and his family."

The actor's spokesman has confirmed he will not be appearing in the latest series of Benidorm.

The 68-year-old, who also appeared in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, said his wife Meg originally put him forward for Benidorm.

After landing the role, he said: "If your wife gets you a job as a swinger, is she trying to tell you something?"

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix.

An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.