Tributes have been paid to Irish soap star Karl Shiels who has died suddenly at the age of 47.
The veteran actor, who played Robbie Quinn in the hit soap Fair City, passed away suddenly on Sunday.
His friend Dave Kelly said: "Heartbroken at the news.
"I'll miss you trying to make me laugh before a take.
"You brought great talent and life to the set everyday.
"For all them little bits of wisdom you shared, thank you.
"Be good Robbie".
Paul Howard also paid tribute: "Awful news about Karl Shiels.
"A great talent.
"Saw him in The Critic in Dublin a few years ago, stealing the show with his long black leather coat and his angry growl of a voice.
"And his unforgettable cameo in Intermission. A great supporter of Irish theatre. A terrible loss."
His agent Lisa Richard confirmed the sad news in a statement to RTÉ.
"We are deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden passing of our client and friend Karl Shiels, yesterday," she said today.
"Karl was a uniquely talented individual, simultaneously intense, light hearted, funny, sharp witted, outspoken and intensely powerful as an actor, director and artistic director of the Theatre Upstairs - where he was such a support and mentor for young writers, actors and directors - and of his own company Semper Fi before that."
She went on: "Our hearts are broken but today our thoughts are with his partner Laura and his family, his children and their mother Dearbhla and his many close friends among whom we count ourselves lucky to have been for so many years."
Actor Eric Lawlor said: "Absolutely stunned and heartbroken to hear of the death of Karl Shiels.
"A hugely gifted actor and a really great friend, I will miss him so much.
"Thinking of his gorgeous family, may he Rest In Peace."
Brigie de Courcy, executive producer of Fair City, also paid tribute to Karl.
"Joining Fair City in 2014, Karl Shiels made his mark immediately playing the formidable Robbie Quinn, and always brought such, warmth, talent and humour to Carrigstown.
"We are absolutely devastated and he will be so greatly missed by the entire cast and crew. Our thoughts are with his family at this incredibly sad time."
Karl's final Instagram picture was posted on April 21 this year and shows him holding up a baby.
"First Prize at the annual “You’ll Do Falking Nuttin” Contest..." he'd captioned the sweet family shot.
After news of his sad death broke, people took to the post to pay tribute.
"RIP you will be missed," one fan commented.
Another wrote: "Rest In Peace. You will be missed"
Karl appeared in movie Batman Begins in 2005, as a thug imprisoned in Arkham Asylum.
He earned his first acting credit in 1999 in short Between Dreams and went on to appear in a number of TV shows and movies.
Throughout his career, Karl appeared in hit TV shows including Peaky Blinders, Foyle's War, and The Tudors.
He joined the cast of Fair City in 2014 and was involved in a number of high profile storylines, most recently at Christmas when his character was reunited with former flame Carol, played by Aisling O'Neill.
