Father Ted actor Joe Rooney's shock over tragic co-star Rynagh O'Grady's death

Comedian Joe Rooney has told of his shock at the loss of Father Ted co-star Rynagh O’Grady.

The Dublin actress, 67, inset, who played Craggy Island shop owner Mary O’Leary in the Channel 4 sitcom, died suddenly on Tuesday.

Meath man Joe, best-known as Father Damo, told the Irish Mirror: “We actually interviewed her for a podcast we haven’t put out.

“Myself and Pat McDonnell would watch each episode and talk about it and interview the actors from the episodes. We called up Rynagh a few months ago, she was in great form, so I was deeply shocked that she died suddenly this week. As far as I knew there were no major health issues.

Joe Rooney aka Fr Damo from Fr Ted at the unveiling of the National Wax Museum Plus's newest wax work of Fr Dougal, who was played by Monaghan comedian Ardal O'Hanlon. (Gareth Chaney/Collins)

"She was amazing on the series, but also like a lot of the actors on Ted who have had incredible theatre careers, she will always be remembered for her role on Ted.”

Meanwhile, Joe also revealed he’s joined a band and hopes to be a viral hit by Valentine’s Day.

He said: “My new band Men2B released our first worldwide single Be In My Bubble.

“I thought maybe I missed the boyband train, but then I said, ‘Let’s go for it’, so I dyed my hair blond and started wearing tight tops.”