David Heap (actor)

Born in Cinderford, Gloucestershire, Heap initially worked for Procter & Gamble before later studying acting at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.^[1] He moved to Ireland after playing the role of Captain Lancey in the world premiere of Translations by Brian Friel in 1980.^[2] Heap also performed in many Gate Theatre productions, including Salomé, The Importance of being Earnest and Les Liaisons Dangereuses.

Heap's best-known television acting role was that of Donal Maher in Fair City, a role he played from 1996 until 2004. He also played Brian Noonan, a junior minister and personal friend of Bishop Brennan in the comedy series Father Ted.^[3]

Heap had a daughter with Barbara Bradshaw in 1981. He married the actor Olwen Fouéré in 1984 with whom he had two children, a daughter Morgane and a son JoJo, who both died in infancy.^[4] Heap was diagnosed with Corticobasal syndrome, a rare neurodegenerative disease, in 2024 and died on 30 December 2025, at the age of 76. He is survived by his wife Olwen, his daughter Laura Bradshaw-Heap and his two grandchildren Olivia and Todor Hadzi-Jovancic ^[5]