Line of Duty star Vicky McClure has announced a heartbreaking family loss.
The actor, who played Kate Fleming in the BBC police drama, took to Instagram on Monday (December 2) to reveal that her grandfather Ralph had passed away at the age of 99.
Alongside images of the D-Day veteran, McClure penned a sweet tribute to her "hero", saying that she was "so grateful" for the memories she shared with him.
"My Grandad Ralph peacefully passed away this morning," she wrote. "His love for football, gardening and his family kept him young all these years.
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"I feel so grateful having so many special memories with him. A much loved hero by all and a loving Grandad to all his grandkids and great grandkids."
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McClure concluded: "Sleep well Grandad, back with Nana Jean now, giggling and dancing in the stars."
The post was flooded with condolence messages from McClure's fans and friends, including Davina McCall, who wrote: "I'm so sorry @vicky.mcclure. Bet you were so proud of him and him of you."
"Sending love," said Suranne Jones, while Paddy McGuinness commented: "Cut from a different cloth that generation. Sending your family all my love."
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Gaby Roslin similarly shared her well wishes, saying: "Sending you massive hugs and so much love. So sorry for your loss," with Alan Carr adding: "Thinking of you Vicky."
McClure took to her Instagram Stories a few hours later to thank fans for their messages, writing: "Thank you from me and my family for all your kind and thoughtful messages today. He was so loved."
Ralph signed up to serve in the Royal Navy at the age of 17 and was deployed as a signaler on a landing raft tank.
Ahead of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in June, Ralph explained how he narrowly escaped death when his craft was hit by enemy fire during the invasion of Normandy.
"To me it was a job that was to be done and you did it to your best ability," he told BBC News.
Line of Duty streams on BBC iPlayer.
Sara is an entertainment journalist who specialises in TV and film. After studying journalism at the University of Roehampton, Sara joined Digital Spy in 2023, writing news (and the occasional feature) on all things entertainment. She has also written for the culture desk at The Evening Standard. A lover of all things TV and film, Sara can wax lyrical about everything from Bridgerton to The Witcher. She can also recite entire episodes of New Girl, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Parks and Recreation. In her spare time, Sara loves to knit, crochet and cross-stitch. Also a musical theatre aficionado, Sara counts Samantha Barks as one of her heroes and is a loyal fan of Jodie Comer.
