Irish actor Karl Shiels has died suddenly at the age of 47.
During his career, Karl appeared in small roles in the TV series Peaky Blinders and film Batman Begins, and was probably best known to Irish fans as Robbie Quinn in the soap Fair City.
In a statement, his agent told RTE: “We are deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden passing of our client and friend Karl Shiels.
“Karl was a uniquely talented individual, simultaneously intense, lighthearted, 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.
“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.”
Fair City executive producer Brigie de Courcy also paid her respects, remembering the “warmth, talent and humour” he brought to the show.
“We are absolutely devastated and he will be so greatly missed by the entire cast and crew,” she said. “Our thoughts are with his family at this incredibly sad time.”
Karl made his debut in Fair City back in 2014, appearing in almost 200 episodes in total.
His other credits include the 2017 TV series Into The Badlands, Foyle’s War and the mini-series Titanic: Blood And Steel, in which he played Neil Sutherland in six episodes.