Father Ted fans reach out to 'Father Jack' actor who reveals he has Parkinson's disease

Father Ted Frank Kelly, who is best known for playing Father Jack in the hit series, has revealed he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Kelly (76) told the Irish Sun he received his diagnosis after being hospitalised earlier this year with heart failure. He told the newspaper: “It was my first diagnosis but I’m quietly confident that I have had this for years and years." Tributes have been paid by fans to the nation's favourite drunk and disorderly priest since the news broke. Parkinson’s disease, which affects 9,000 people in Ireland, is a movement disorder which results in the loss of muscle control. Symptoms include tremors or shaking, slowed movement, speech changes and rigidity in muscles. Kelly added: "It did get gradually worse for a while, then lessened. It doesn’t interfere with your work, it doesn’t interfere with anything." The 76 year old is determined to keep working and is currently focusing on promoting his memoir ‘The Next Gig’.