All Saints actor found dead

[Dean]

All Saints actor Mark Priestley has been found dead in Sydney after suffering depression.

The much-loved actor, 32, who played nurse Dan Goldman, is believed to have committed suicide, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Cast members of the hit Channel Seven medical drama are in mourning after the news was broken today.

Priestley was behind a huge ratings surge for the show on Tuesday night after his character finally married that of fellow star Jolene Anderson, after a lengthy on-off screen relationship.

The sudden death is the second recent trauma to hit All Saints, after actress Virginia Gay was mugged in Sydney - allegedly by two thugs accused of later killing a man.

A Seven Network statement described Priestley as "a tremendous young person - loved and respected by his fellow All Saints cast members and crew."

Seven's Director of Programming and Production Tim Worner described him as a "brilliant artist".

"His work on stage and screen was admired by everybody who knew him," Worner said.

"His death is such a sad loss. We at Channel Seven will miss his energy and smile.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Mark's family and friends."

Priestley's co-star and close friend Jolene Anderson is currently starring in the Andrew Lloyd Webber stage musical Tell Me On A Sunday.

It is unclear whether she will appear in tonight's performance.

Priestley graduated from NIDA in 1999. He joined the cast of All Saints in 2004.

The official All Saints website biography for Priestley says: "Mark's first big TV break was when he appeared in the The Farm in 2000 and met director Kate Woods. She gave him a key role in her mini-series Changi in 2001 and since then he's been no stranger to television."

His also appeared in Blue Heelers, and has worked with the Bell Shakespeare Company and the Sydney Theatre Company.

For help contact Lifeline on 13 11 14

Source: TV Tonight

[Stephanie]

So tragic. Depression is such a terrible illness. It's sad.

I am really devastated. I'm a huge fan of All Saints. EDIT: Mark (Not Dan! Getting him and his character confused) was a brilliant actor.

Rest in peace.

xxx

[Nathan.]

Will they have to write his character out or had he already left?

R.I.P, Mark - even though I don't know you.

[Dean]

Will they have to write his character out or had he already left?

R.I.P, Mark - even though I don't know you.

He just got married in the last episode. I assume they will have an offscreen death or something appropriate.

[Miss Tan Tan]

My heart broke when I heard this. Mark is the most gorgeous person. Always laughing and they loved him. I feel lucky to have met him. But my heart goes out to his family. He truly was a beautiful person.

R.I.P Mark

[irish_angel]

OMG, i can't believe this. Mark was sucha great actor, he always looked so happy on screen, but i guess you just never know whats going on in someone's head. All Saints will be strange without him.

As drama_girl said depression is such a terrible illness, i lost a close friend due to it only 6 weeks ago. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends at this sad time.

[homeandawayforever23]

I couldn't believe this when I heard it, it's so tragic. Depression is a horrible illness. My Heart goes out to all his family and friends, he was such a great actor.

RIP Mark

[rockstarrr08]

RIP Mark.

Loved your character

[lisawinnie]

Did anyone watch sunrise the other day they were talking to john waters about marks death it was titled a tragic loss if you did could you please upload it to youtube becasue i cant watch it on the sunrise website?

[Yankee White]

No i didn't, wish i did though.

Rip Mark