An Edinburgh Fringe performer has paid tribute to her husband after tragically losing him during her run at the festival.
Dillie Keane, a UK-based actress, had been starring in cabaret show Fascinating Aïda during August when her husband, John, passed away from a stroke. Announcing the devastating news on Monday (August 29), Dillie shared with friends and fans that John had sadly died on August 13.
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Describing him as a "huge character", the actress explained that she had waited to share the news of his death to allow them to finish their run at the festival 'without audiences knowing.' Sharing a heartwarming picture of the couple, who had been together for over two decades, Dillie tweeted:
"In case folk haven't heard, my beloved partner John O'Neill died after a stroke on 13th Aug. I have not announced it till now because I wanted to finish our run in Edinburgh without audiences knowing.
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"I was with him when he died. We had 22 years, 10 months and 12 days - cont. I had an amazing life with him and I am both grateful and broken-hearted. He was a huge character: a warm, vital man who you could not ignore and he leaves a great big hole in so many lives. The funeral is on Thursday."
Receiving swathes of five star reviews at the Fringe, Fascinating Aïda had seen fans arrive from all over the world to watch the trio cabaret and comedy act, with the last performance taking place on August 27.
Dillie's heartbreaking post received thousands of likes while fans posted their own tributes and messages of support. Greg Flucker wrote: "Oh Dillie I’m so sorry to hear this. I saw that you missed some shows. I’m in awe of the strength you had to head back to Edinburgh to finish your shows. Wishing you strength at this most difficult time.
And Tim Walker added: "You made me laugh so much, Dillie, during the #edfringe, when you were yourself paradoxically going through so much pain. My thanks and condolences. Maybe it takes an understanding of how painful life can be to want to allow others a release from it just occasionally in laughter."
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