'Father Ted' star recovers from cancer

Father Ted star Frank Kelly has been given the all-clear from bowel cancer.

The actor, who played Father Jack Hackett in the ecclesiastical sitcom, underwent a seven-month course of chemotherapy after having a tumour removed last September.

He admitted that his treatment had been "torture", telling the Irish Independent: "Chemo is pretty ghastly. It’s like something out of science fiction torture - really unbelievable."

However, he revealed that he was now well enough to swim at his favourite bathing spot in Dublin every day, where fans have been eager to wish him well.

The 69-year-old said: "I was down there [recently] and as I wet my body people gave me a round of applause, hugs, cheers and cries of ‘you’re back’. It was lovely."