Extremely sad news this morning as it's being reported that 34-year-old Cork native John Dineen passed away at Marymount Hospital on Sunday "after an illness." Seemingly he had been "ill for some time" with cancer. 

The Irish Examiner are reporting that the Senior Director in FTI Consulting, who grew up on a farm in Waterfall, will be laid to rest in Cork tomorrow. 

The Independent reports: "News of their relationship hit the headlines earlier this year when it was reported that Michelle had been excitedly showing off her diamond ring during screen tests for the popular period drama." 

Speaking of her private relationship with Dineen - whom she started dating in 2013 - the Downton Abby star said previously in an interview: “I have a wonderful man in my life from Ireland. We were introduced by (fellow Downton star) Allen Leech. That's all you need to know."

Our thoughts are with his family at this time.