‘Downton Abbey’ Star Michelle Dockery Loses Fiancé To Cancer, John Dineen Dies At Age Of 34

It is a sad day for Michelle Dockery. The star of Downton Abbey has been devastated by the untimely loss of her fiancé, John Dineen, to a rare form of cancer. He is said to have passed away on Sunday in his homeland of Ireland. He was just 34-years-old.

People confirmed the sad news, saying that Michelle was at his bedside at the Marymount Hospice in Cork at the time of his passing. Dineen had apparently been diagnosed with cancer earlier in the year, but was seeking extensive treatment at this particular cancer center.

Michelle Dockery’s publicist has released a statement from her saying that she really appreciated all of the support and kindness she has received. In addition, she did make a request for some privacy during this difficult time.

“The family is very grateful for the support and kindness they have received but would kindly request that they are left to grieve in private.”

Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery's partner John Dineen dies aged 34 https://t.co/tIe7QTfEB8 pic.twitter.com/gFKP5FXW7j

— Daily Mail U.K. (@DailyMailUK) December 15, 2015

Today, December 15, is also the actress’ 34th birthday. With the holidays coming up this month, as well, this has got to be a most difficult time for Michelle Dockery.

John Dineen was a Senior Director in FTI Consulting in London, according to the Irish Independent. He was in Ireland with his family and was seeking extensive cancer treatment, as well. After his initial diagnosis earlier this year, Dineen had apparently also sought treatment in Germany in an effort to defeat his rare form of cancer.

Michelle Dockery is said to be holding up as well as can be expected. Her huge loss is expected to be felt among her Downton Abbey co-stars, as well as fans from around the world, who have watched her in the role of Lady Mary Crawley in the highly-popular series.

Dockery met the love of her life through Allen Leech, who plays Tom Branson on the Masterpiece classic. Being an Irishman himself, the actor introduced the pair back in 2013, and that later led to an engagement. The couple had tried keeping their relationship as private as possible until the media found out that Michelle had a “special man” in her life named John in September, 2014.

The 34-year-old actress had been making the media rounds in the U.S. alongside her Downton Abbey co-stars, promoting the American premiere of the hit TV series on PBS. The sixth and final season of the show will air on January 3, 2016, and fans have been eager to see what happens with Lady Mary and all of the special characters they have grown to love.

Dockery had kept her head up during her U.S. trip while Dineen was fighting for his life, but then she ended up flying back to Ireland to be with her fiancé. John Dineen grew up in Cork, in Southern Ireland, where he also spent his last days. The family will hold a private funeral service on Wednesday, according to the Daily Mail.

Michelle Dockery will be switching over to a brand new role outside of the Abbey after the series ends. She has been busy filming for TNT’s Good Behavior, which has just been announced as being ordered to a regular series. The Brit will play the role of con artist Letty, who attempts to derail a hitman’s plan to murder someone’s wife. This “seductive thriller” will certainly be quite a change from what viewers are used to seeing the actress in.

Many condolences go to Michelle, and the family and friends of John Dineen, on their devastating loss. Dockery is well loved by many and she will certainly feel the love from around the world as she goes through this difficult time.

[Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images]