Pat Laffan - known best for his role as milkman Pat Mustard in the Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted - has died aged 79.

His agent confirmed the news with a statement on Thursday, while Father Ted creator Graham Linehan took to Twitter to express his sadness about the news.

He posted: 'Just heard the sad news that Pat Laffan who played Pat Mustard in Father Ted has died. Rest in peace, Pat, a pleasure to work with you.'

Sad loss: Pat Laffan - known best for his role as milkman Pat Mustard in the Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted - has died aged 79

His agent Lisa Richards released a statement, breaking the news.

'It is with tremendous sadness that we here at the Lisa Richards Agency can confirm Pat Laffan's passing today,' she confirmed.

'Pat was one of the very first clients of the agency but much more than that, he was a close friend, a mentor and a hugely important supporter of the company's founders Lisa and Richard Cook and for many of the staff of the agency who had the pleasure to represent and work with him over the last almost thirty years.'

'While Pat is perhaps still best remembered by Irish screen audiences for his portrayal of Mr Burgess in Roddy Doyle's film The Snapper (1993) and as Pat Mustard the notorious milk man in Father Ted (Channel 4, 1998), he had almost 40 film credits and 30 television credits to his name.

Rest in peace: His agent confirmed the news with a statement on Thursday [pictured 2012]

Father Ted creator Graham Linehan took to Twitter to express his sadness about the news [Pat is pictured with Pauline McLynn as Mrs Doyle in Father Ted, 1998]

'All here will remember him first and foremost as our friend and mentor and we will miss him terribly. We send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.'

The Irish star was also known for portraying Georgie Burgess in The Snapper, as well as playing parts in TV series Ripper Street and Steve Spielberg's film adaptation of War Horse.

Pat had in fact originally auditioned for the role of Father Fintan Stack, which was eventually played by Brendan Grace. When he failed to secure the role, Pat was cast as Pat Mustard.

Tributes: Twitter has been awash with tributes from Pat's former colleagues

Pauline McLynn, who played Mrs Doyle, the housekeeper of Craggy Island Parochial House, posted a short tribute to Laffan on Twitter that read: 'RIP the wonderful Pat Laffan.'

The character of sleazy milkman Pat Mustard was positioned as Mrs Doyle's love interest, and the show's writers inferred he slept with all the women he delivered milk to each morning.

Other credits include The Saint in 1997, 2006's The Queen and 2010’s Leap Year. He also appeared in the BBC soap EastEnders and in the RTE medical drama The Clinic.

He had shot a final film, somewhat poetically titled Laid To Rest, which is currently in post-production. The short is set to be released this year.

Repertoire: The Irish star was also known for portraying Georgie Burgess in The Snapper, as well as playing parts in TV series Ripper Street and Steve Spielberg's film adaptation of War Horse

Sadly missed: Many tweeted about the news on Thursday evening

Pat was a member of Abbey Theatre Company in the 1960s and served as the Peacock Theatre's director in the 1970s.

Many tweeted about the news on Thursday evening, with one posting: 'RIP Pat Laffan, from The Snapper to Father Ted, the provider of some of the biggest laughs we've shared as a nation.'

Another tweeted: 'Sorry to hear Irish actor Pat Laffan passes away. Pat Mustard in Father Ted was one of the funniest characters ever created. RIP.'

'Sad news about Pat Laffan. In the space of one short episode, Pat Mustard became one of the most memorable characters in sitcom history. A legendary performance. So many great lines,' came a third post.

A fourth penned: '#PatLaffan very sad to hear the passing, "pat mustard". "Is that Mrs Doyle, I thought it was marilyn Monroe". Lol. '