Tributes have been paid to actor/clown/comedian Ben Keaton, who has died, aged 69.

Keaton was a familiar figure in TV, comedy and theatre for many years. He appeared as priest Father Purcell in Father Ted and was a winner of the Perrier Award for Best Show at the Edinburgh Fringe in 1986. He was the first solo winner of the prestigious prize.

He also appeared in Casualty, Emmerdale, The Bill, Hububb, Doctors and Double Time and films East Is East and Love Bite.