David Tennant's dad and former Church of Scotland moderator the Very Rev Dr Sandy McDonald has died aged 78.

Dr McDonald, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland from 1997-98, revealed last year he was fighting the degenerative lung disease pulmonary fibrosis.

The Church said he died at the Erskine Care Home for ex-servicemen in Bishopton, Renfrewshire, on Thursday morning.

Current Moderator, the Rt Rev Dr Angus Morrison, said: "Dr Sandy McDonald was a wonderful man and minister.

(Image: Daily Record)

"Genuine love for people was a defining mark of his ministry. He had a special concern for the well-being, at every level, of his fellow ministers. Sandy's memory will be cherished by many."

He is survived by three children, including the Doctor Who and Broadchurch star.

Dr McDonald famously spoke out in March last year to support the possibility of giving people at the end of their lives more choice over how they die.

“What I do want is the right to a peaceful end to my life,” he said.

He called for “assistance towards a peaceful death” to be taken into account for terminally ill patients such as himself.

“I have pulmonary fibrosis. It just gets worse, there is no cure. I have had to address it and decide what to do," he added.

His proud son spoke out about his dad at the National Television Awards previously, as he accepted the Special Recognition Award.

He said: "I would like to dedicate this to my dad. He's an inspiration and a role model. Thanks, Sandy."

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In the early 1980s, he co-presented the Scottish Television religious magazine programme That's the Spirit!

He was one of the public figures who led tributes to Princess Diana upon her death in 1997 in a BBC broadcast.

Dr McDonald was close to actor son David, and even made a non-speaking cameo appearance in Doctor Who in 2008, playing the part of a footman alongside his son.