Irish actor Karl Shiels has died at the age of 47.
The Dublin-born star, who appeared as Ryan in the first season of Peaky Blinders in 2013 and starred in hit Irish soap Fair City for the last five years, passed away on Sunday.
WATCH Karl Shiels star in Peaky Blinders:
Shiels also had roles in box office smashes Intermission, Batman Begins and Veronica Guerin, as well as Emmy-award winning British drama series The Tudors alongside Jonathan Rhys Meyers.
He was nominated for 'Best Actor' at the Irish Film and Television Academy's TV Awards in 2016, BBC News reports.
The news was confirmed by his agent, Lisa Richards, who said in a statement to Ireland's RTE on Monday: "We are deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden passing of our client and friend Karl Shiels yesterday.
"Karl was a uniquely talented individual, simultaneously intense, light hearted, funny, sharp-witted, outspoken and intensely powerful.. Karl was a remarkable force in Irish theatre.
"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."
On Friday, Shiels was seen "on crutches and in a lot of pain" by a fan living in his neighbourhood, Daily Mail reports.
Tributes to the popular actor poured in from the TV and film community, both in Ireland and overseas.
Fair City's Executive Producer Brigie De Courcy said on Monday: "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."
Irish comedian Chris O'Dowd tweeted: "So sorry to hear about the passing of Karl Shiels. The kind of actor you'd always be happy to see pop up on screen, the kind of fella you'd always be delighted to bump into in the street."
Karl Shiels in a scene from Fair City with Irish actress Aisling Eyre
Fair City/RTE
Shiels' co-star Clelia Murphy also took to social media to pay her respect to the talented thespian, writing on Twitter: "There really are no words. RIP @KarlShiels #onwards xxx"
Fair City star Dave Kelly tweeted: "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."
Fair City/RTE
Shiels last appeared as Robbie Quinn in Sunday night's episode of Fair City.
He had also been working as Artistic Director of Dublin's Theatre Upstairs with his partner Laura Honan who served as Managing Director.
Alice MurphyAlice Murphy is a freelance journalist and self-professed news addict. Originally from Ireland, Alice is on a mission to visit every country in the world (telling stories along the way). She is most commonly found eating sushi, drinking strong coffee and reading horoscopes.
