Donald Macdonald dead: Play School presenter who was 'true gentleman' dies aged 86

Donald Macdonald, a veteran television presenter best known for hosting the children's programme Play School, has sadly passed away at the age of 86.

The beloved entertainer, hailed as "a showbiz great", succumbed to a brief battle with cancer on Monday.

A true gent

His illustrious career spanned over four decades, during which he starred in stage shows such as John McKellar's A Cup of Tea, a Bex and a Good Lie Down, and appeared in TV dramas that he also penned.

However, his most memorable role was on the iconic BBC show Play School, where he entertained families from 1966 to 1969 alongside other notable figures like Trisha Goddard.

Journalist Craig Bennett shared the sad news on his social media yesterday, stating: "One of our showbiz greats left us at 12:45am today," reports the Mirror.

Wrote smash hits

"Donald Macdonald was a stalwart of stage and screen, who'd written smash-hit plays like Caravan, dazzled on London's West End, and delighted millions over the decades with his starring turns on TV series like Play School where he was a presenter from 1966 to 1969."

Bennett, who is based in Australia where Donald was born, added: "He guested on shows from Certain Women, The Box, Cop Shop and Skyways, to the raunchy Alvin Purple, and in movies like Superman Returns. Donald was a dapper delight and always great company."

Precious moments

Donald spent precious moments with his cousins Paula Duncan and Amelia Barrett in his final days.

In a heartfelt tribute on social media, Mr Bennett recounted the vibrant atmosphere created for Donald in the hospital: "On Saturday we turned his hospital room into a party, laughs and smiles a-plenty, as Donald enjoyed some bubbly and lemon meringue pie. Blue was always his colour, even in a hospital gown! He gave his permission to post his last photo, saying 'what the heck!' Vale to a true gentleman."

Tributes pour in

The entertainment world mourns the loss of Donald with tributes pouring in on Facebook, where a fellow actor remarked: "Honoured to have appeared in two of his plays. The consummate gentleman. And, no one played a High Court Judge like Donald. RIP."

Another person lamented the passing, remarking on Donald's pleasant nature: "We were VERY LUCKY to meet Donald through you both, get to know him, and be entertained by his lovely demeanor, sharp wit and of course his writing skills. What a lovely, gentle man."