Fair City star Aaron Harris passes unexpectedly in Spain

Aaron Harris (born David Harris) passed away suddenly on September 4, in Spain. News of the 71-year-old’s death was published over the weekend on RIP.ie, in a notice which reads Harris will be “sadly missed by his loving partner Louise, brothers Hayman & Ken, sister Alison, brother-in-law Gerry, sisters-in-law Ann-Marie, Siobhan & Pauline, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.”

The English actor, best known for his police officer roles, resided between London, Lahinch and Limerick over the course of his life. Harris played Detective Garda Myles Byrne on the long-running RTÉ soap Fair City, making his first appearance on the programme in the late ‘90s. He is also known for his role as Detective Sergeant Andy Dixon on British police drama Wycliffe, from 1994 to 1996.

The Fair City star also appeared in Call The Midwife, The Bill, Holby City and Ballykissangel, Shoot To Kill, and Murphy’s Law. Harris, born in Southampton, was the nephew of the boisterous Grammy-winning Limerick-born actor Richard Harris.

Since news of Harris’ death over the weekend, co-stars and friends of the actor have taken to social media to pay tribute to his life. Tommy O'Neill, who played Harris' Garda partner Detective John Deegan on the soap, wrote on Facebook, “It's with a very sad heart I write this. My friend and partner on Fair City, Aaron Harris, AKA Myles, has passed away in Spain. My thoughts are with his family. We had fun working together even though I sometimes drove him crazy. I was very very fond of Aaron and wish him a happy journey to the great show in the sky. R.I.P. Brother."

Other heartfelt acknowledgements followed. Aisling O’Neill, who played Carol Foley on the RTÉ show for over twenty years, shared, “I'm so sorry to hear of the passing of David. He was a kind and generous gentleman. I so enjoyed working with him and have fond memories of a trip to Clare for the festival.Thinking of you all at this very sad time."

Fair City’s Dave Duffy (who played Leo Dowling), joined the tributes from his co-stars. He recalled Harris as his “actor friend and golf buddy,” and reflected on the “Great times and many laughs working with this big-hearted gentleman.”

Funeral arrangements for the beloved actor have yet to be announced.