Dermot Morgan, TV’s Father Ted, died yesterday after collapsing at a dinner party he was hosting for friends.

The father of three was celebrating his 46th birthday, which would have been tomorrow [NB: incorrect], as well as the completion of a third series of the award-winning Channel 4 comedy.

With his partner Fiona, Mr Morgan was entertaining guests at his flat in Twickenham, South West London, when he collapsed at the table after complaining he felt queasy.

One friend, John Fisher, said: “His family tried to resuscitate him and then the ambulancemen spent 25 minutes trying resuscitate him themselves.

“All the family are shocked and distressed. He seemed fine beforehand and had no history of illness.”

Another family friend, however, said yesterday that the actor – who also had a home Dublin – had been suffering from chest pains and complained about the constant stress caused by frequent visits to Ireland.

He said Mr Morgan first experienced “very slight chest pains” while dining with Ireland football manager Mick McCarthy last week.

“He mentioned that he hadn’t been 100 per cent but didn’t think it was anything serious,” said the friend, who declined to be named.

“Dermot thought it was just indigestion or something.

“He always seemed to be in good mood, but there’s no doubt he was under a lot of pressure in recent weeks.

“He was always making the journey over to Dublin and had just come back from Ireland five days ago.

“He didn’t enjoy leaving his family behind in London all the time but put a brave face on things.” Mr Morgan, who did not regain consciousness, was pronounced dead at West Middlesex Hospital shortly after midnight yesterday.

A post-mortem examination will be held. Among many tributes, Irish premier Bertie Ahern said: “I was shocked and saddened to hear of the untimely death of Dermot Morgan.

“He was one of the greatest entertainers ever produced by this country.”

Irish president Mary McAleese said: “Through his death, Ireland and the world of entertainment have lost an exceptional talent.” Actor Frank Kelly, who plays Father Jack in the sitcom, said the death of his colleague had left him “shattered and traumatised”. He said: “I think he was a kind of comedic meteor. He literally burned himself out.” Channel 4 chief executive Michael Jackson said: “Dermot Morgan reached millions in Britain with his brilliant portrayal of Father Ted Crilly.

“All of us at Channel 4 are shocked and deeply stunned to think that so talented an actor and performer should have his life cut short at the peak of his career.

“Our deepest sympathy goes to his family and many friends.” The latest series of the Bafta-winning Father Ted – about three priests banished by the Roman Catholic church to remote Craggy Island – was due to begin on Friday.

But a Channel 4 spokesman said that would depend on the wishes of Mr Morgan’s family.

In an interview days ago, however, the actor revealed plans to quit the show to avoid becoming typecast.

He spoke of a possible return to the comedy circuit, saying: “After three series playing this priest, I want to get out of the dog collar.

“I don’t want to be the next Clive Dunn and end up playing the same character for years.

“Ted’s been a great door-opener for me and I’ll miss him and certainly working with such a great cast, but I have to branch out.” In the 1980s, the former English teacher married his long-term sweetheart Suzanne and had two sons Don, now 17, and 16-year-old Bobby.

But the marriage failed and for the last 11 years, he has lived with Fiona, the mother of his three-year-old son Ben.

Before his portrayal of Father Ted, Mr Morgan was performing as a stand-up character called Father Trendy in Ireland.

He swiftly developed a cult following, but as his act became increasingly controversial he was banned from every radio and TV station in Ireland. He had childhood plans to become a priest, but recently admitted: “I’m a lapsed Catholic. I just don’t think it’s right for priests to hop around the altar telling you what to do.

“I think in general, big organisations are bad news and then there’s the whole celibacy thing.

“Denying your sexuality is an anomaly and it’s just not healthy.

“I’ve always had a reputation for sailing close to the wind but with something like Father Ted, although it’s cutting edge, I really don’t think it’s offensive. I guess it’s down to personal taste.” When Father Ted was launched, one critic dismissed it as rubbish declaring “an orang-utan could produce something better”. But it is shown and loved in ten countries.

Steven Spielberg, Madonna and Jim Carrey all regularly watch the show.

Bono of the rock group U2 even requested to appear in the series.

Arthur Matthews, co-writer of Father Ted, said the new series would have been the last because Mr Morgan wanted to leave.

He added: “This is shocking and tragic news. Dermot was very funny, talented, easy to write for it, and brilliant in it.

“I can’t imagine anyone else having done it. He made it his own.”