Donald Macdonald had a distinguished theatre and television career in both the Australia and the UK, which saw him host Play School on the BBC in the 1960s and write for the stage
A veteran TV presenter – famed for hosting childrens’ show Play School – has died aged 86.
Donald Macdonald, described as “a showbiz great”, lost his short battle with cancer on Monday. His career, which spanned more than 40 years, saw Donald star in stage shows, including John McKellar’s A Cup of Tea, a Bex and a Good Lie Down, and appear in TV dramas he also wrote.
But he is best remembered for entertaining families on iconic BBC show Play School, which Donald presented from 1966 to 1969 alongside other famous faces, such as Trisha Goddard. Craig Bennett, a journalist, shared on his social media yesterday: “One of our showbiz greats left us at 12:45am today.
“Donald Macdonald was a stalwart of stage and screen, who’d written smash-hit plays like Caravan, dazzled on London’s West End, and delighted millions over the decades with his starring turns on TV series like Play School where he was a presenter from 1966 to 1969.”
The journalist, who is based in Australia where Donald was born, added: “He guested on shows from Certain Women, The Box, Cop Shop and Skyways, to the raunchy Alvin Purple, and in movies like Superman Returns. Donald was a dapper delight and always great company.”
Donald enjoyed early success as a stage actor in Australia before moving to the UK in the mid-1960s to broaden his career. He was able to write more theatre work, including Caravan, a comedic play about three couples on a hapless holiday together. He continued to act, and film credits included Superman Returns and Kenny.
But a short journey with cancer put pay to acting and presenting in recent years, and Donald died in Australia on Monday. The performer spent time with his cousins Paula Duncan and Amelia Barrett during his last days.
Mr Bennett’s social media post continued: “On Saturday we turned his hospital room into a party, laughs and smiles a-plenty, as Donald enjoyed some bubbly and lemon meringue pie. Blue was always his colour, even in a hospital gown! He gave his permission to post his last photo, saying ‘what the heck!’ Vale to a true gentleman.”
Facebook users responded to the journalist’s post, sharing their sadness at the showbiz star’s passing. One fellow actor wrote: “Honoured to have appeared in two of his plays. The consummate gentleman. And, no one played a High Court Judge like Donald. RIP.”
Another shared: “We were VERY LUCKY to meet Donald through you both, get to know him, and be entertained by his lovely demeanor, sharp wit and of course his writing skills. What a lovely, gentle man.”