Declan Donnelly's brother Dermott has died aged 55.
Dermott was a Roman Catholic priest based in Newcastle and was being treated at North Durham hospital after collapsing at his parish, according to MailOnline.
Dermott was said to be ‘extremely unwell' after the incident and has since died in hospital.
LADbible has approached Dec’s representative for comment.
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MailOnline reported on Friday (8 July) that Dermott had been ‘rushed to hospital with a mystery illness’.
Dermott’s death was confirmed on Friday by the Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, who wrote: “It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of Fr Dermott Donnelly who died peacefully this afternoon in hospital.
“This has come as a great shock to all of us. Please pray for the repose of his soul and keep his family, especially his mother, in your prayers at this difficult time.”
The statement concluded: “Funeral arrangements will follow when finalised.”
In the wake of Dermott’s hospitalisation, Stanley, Dipton & Byermoor Catholic Parishes said in a statement: “Please pray for Father Dermott who is extremely unwell in hospital.
“Tomorrow evening between 6pm-7pm there will be a period of time before the Blessed Sacrament so that we can come together as a community in St Joseph's Church to pray for Father Dermott's welfare.
“Please be respectful to Father Dermott and his family at this difficult time, we will update you as and when we receive the most up to date information verified by the Diocese.”
According to The Sun, Dec and other family members visited Dermott at hospital and were ‘praying he pulled through’.
Dec and Dermott have five other siblings, brothers Martin and Eamonn and sisters Camelia, Patricia and Moira, and were raised on Newcastle's Cruddas Park estate.
The brothers have often been seen together, with Dermott frequently visiting Dec’s shows with his co-presenter Anthony McPartlin.
In April, Dermott attended 10 Downing Street where he visited Boris Johnson alongside other religious leaders to pray for peace in war-torn Ukraine.
Dermott said at the time: “It was a real privilege to join Christian leaders from across many churches at Downing Street and to stand together in prayer, the silence was so profound.
“It was a moment when the power of vulnerability encountered the vulnerability of power. The best weapon we had was prayer.”
In 2015, Dermott said of Dec being his brother: “I don’t advertise that I’m Dec’s brother, but the kids always seem to know. It bridges the gap between me and them," according to MailOnline.
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