Downton Abbey star Lesley Nicol is left heartbroken as her ‘warrior’ husband David Heald dies
Downton Abbey star Lesley Nicol is left heartbroken as her spiritual healer ‘warrior’ husband dies at 68 – a week after posting on Facebook he caught Covid when he had his spring booster
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Downton Abbey star Lesley Nicol’s husband David Heald has died at the age of 68 – just days after revealing he had tested positive for Covid.
Ms Nicol, also 68, who portrays cook Beryl Patmore in the period drama and follow-up films, has been left heartbroken by the ‘unexpected’ death, which was confirmed by her agent via a statement.
David said in a Facebook post on April 26 that he had tested positive for Covid in a fit to fly test, although there is currently no suggestion that the illness played a part in his death.
He wrote: ‘The fit to fly test was positive! Now going on May 4. I caught it when I had the spring booster shot!’
Ms Nicol had been performing her one-woman show in New York in the US.
It has received rave reviews and had just been extended to May 22 at the McKittrick Hotel.
Lesley was married to spiritual healer David – who was known as Da’aboth Te’He’Ling – for fifteen years and the pair lived in West London.
In a statement provided to The Sun, Lesley’s agent said: ‘I would like to confirm the passing of Lesley’s beloved husband David Heald, known to all his wonderful friends as Da’arboth.
‘Da’arboth was an amazing, unique and inspirational man who was always at Lesley’s side – ‘her warrior’.
‘We are all processing this unexpected turn of events and Lesley would like to thank everyone for their loving and kind messages of support.’
Rest in peace: Downton Abbey star Lesley Nicol has been left heartbroken as her ‘warrior’ husband David Heald dies (the couple pictured in October 2019)
Sad: The English actress, who portrays cook Beryl Patmore in the period drama and follow-up films, had been over in the States performing her one-woman show (pictured with Sophie McShera as Daisy Mason)
Long-lasting love: Lesley was married to spiritual healer David – who was known as Da’aboth Te’He’Ling – for fifteen years and the pair lived in West London (pictured September 2019)
A friend told the publication that Lesley is ‘heartbroken’, while branding the couple ‘a real couple and team.’
The pal also remembered the couple’s ‘very strong bond and love’, and David being his wife’s ‘biggest champion.’
Lesley has previously spoken of her partnership with her late husband, recalling how they ‘hit it off.’
‘It’s a good partnership. I met him through a friend and we just hit it off.
‘He is a martial artist and he does lots of spiritual stuff like Reiki. But he is interested in our world.’
On his Linkedin page, David said he discovered his spiritual side after he began suffering with heart problems.
It reads: ‘I am currently retired but I teach Martial Arts, primarily sword and practice Yoga.
‘This is to pass on my knowledge and to improve and maintain my flexibility. Since my heart by-pass and stroke (2009) I realised that I was seizing up!’
He added that he had ‘always been spiritual’ and that he also previously worked as a ‘semi-pro bass guitarist, both as a session player and band member.’
He served for six years in the Royal Air Force as an aircraft engineer, working on aircraft, testing, maintenance and missiles, before going freelance.
He later worked for other companies as an engineer.
Bond: A friend told The Sun that Lesley is ‘heartbroken’, while branding the couple ‘a real couple and team’ (pictured October 2017)
Leading lady: Lesley’s one-woman show, How The Hell Did I Get Here?, premiered in New York last month and its roaring success has seen it extended (pictured last month)
She’s back! The talented actress reprised her role as Mrs Patmore in the new Downton film, Downton Abbey: A New Era, which hit cinemas last week
Lesley’s one-woman show, How The Hell Did I Get Here?, premiered in New York last month and its roaring success has seen it extended.
The original musical follows Lesley’s life and career, and has been lauded as ‘painting a portrait of the actress through words and music.’
She said of the show: ‘This is a very personal story, but completely meant to be something that we all relate to because I’m just talking about what it’s like to be a human being.’
The talented actress reprised her role as Mrs Patmore in the new Downton film, Downton Abbey: A New Era, which hit cinemas last week.
Of her beloved character, Lesley said: ‘She’s insecure and she’s fragile. Sometimes she can be sarcastic and all of that, but that came as a result of seeing the interaction between us.
‘It’s always nice to go back and be with her again.’
Lesley and David did not have children, but the Manchester-born star previously admitted she felt she had ‘maternal energy.’
Speaking to The Mirror in 2019, she said: ‘I’m not someone who thinks, “Oh my God, I didn’t have kids”.
‘However, I feel I do have a maternal energy. My husband could have been a lovely dad – that’s one of my regrets in life. I don’t discount reincarnation, so maybe I’ll just have children in my next life.’
