Downton Abbey star Lesley Nicol has been left devastated by the sad passing of her 'warrior' husband David Keith Heald.
Friends close to the 68-year-old TV and film actress say she is heartbroken as news of martial arts expert David's death was made public on Tuesday.
The Downton Abbey star tied-the-knot with David in 2007 and the pair lived happily together in West London until David's recent death.
The exact date and cause of David's death have not been disclosed, with friends close to the star – who plays the cook Beryl Patmore in the Downton television and film series – discussing her heartache.
In a statement Lesley’s agent Paul Pearson told The Sun: “I would like to confirm the passing of Lesley’s beloved husband David Heald, known to all his wonderful friends as Da’arboth.
“Da’arboth was an amazing, unique and inspirational man who was always at Lesley’s side ‘her warrior’.
“We are all processing this unexpected turn of events and Lesley would like to thank everyone for their loving and kind messages of support.”
A friend close to the star said: “Lesley is heartbroken, of course. They were a real couple and team.
“She was mobbed by fans around the world but he was not only her husband but her protector and biggest love. They had a very strong bond and love.
“He was her biggest champion and always loved her success in recent years."
The friend also explained the perfect dynamic between Lesley and David as he was 'private' and allowed her to take the spotlight thanks to her impressive acting career.
Lesley previously opened up about her relationship with her late husband, saying: “It’s a good partnership. I met him through a friend and we just hit it off.
“He is a martial artist and he does lots of spiritual stuff like Reiki. But he is interested in our world.”
Downton fans have been wowed by the recent new film, subtitled A New Era, which takes the cast to France.
Lesley recently shared some behind-the-scenes secrets about the food that is prepared on cameras – and it is apparently less appealing than viewers would realise.
She told Rachel Ray: "We had a lobster and it caused what we called 'Lobstergate.'
"It was beautiful and looked terrific on camera, and was very expensive. They took it away as it was beginning to go. They froze it, and then brought it out another day, and by the time it had thawed it was bad."
She also explained that, unlike her character, she is a terribly cook.
Lesley also converted to veganism over the course of the past 12 years that Downton has been on screens.
She said: "Like anybody else, veganism sounds horrific, like a punishment or a life sentence for anyone who is a foodie.
"But the fact is, you just have to look around and there's some good stuff out there. Now I'm on that road. I don't have any interest in eating meat anymore. I haven't missed it—not at all."
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