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) plays the role of cook Beryl Patmore, in period dramas and subsequent films. Her agent confirmed her death via a statement. 

David posted on Facebook April 26th that he was positive for Covid after a fit to fly testing. There is no evidence that Covid played any role in David’s death. 

He said, “The fit-to fly test was positive!” We are now on May 4. It was when I received the spring booster shot that I noticed it.  

Ms. Nicol performed her show as a one-woman act in New York. 

This has been a huge success and was extended at McKittrick to May 22. 

Lesley married spiritual healer David – also known as Da’aboth Te’He’Ling – for 15 years. They lived together in West London. 

Lesley’s agent, in a statement that was provided to The Sun, stated: “I wish to confirm Lesley’s loved husband David Heald’s passing. He is known to all of his incredible friends as Da’arboth.

“Da”arboth was an extraordinary, inspirational and unique man that was always by Lesley’s side. He was referred to as “her warrior”.

“We all are still processing the unexpected twist of events, and Lesley wishes to thank everybody for their kind and loving 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)

Rest in Peace: Lesley Nicol, Downton Abbey’s star, has lost her ‘warrior husband’ David Heald. (The couple was pictured 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)

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)

Ms Nicol had been performing her hit one-woman show in New York in the US. (Pictured with David)

Ms. Nicol performed her popular one-woman show in New York. (Pictured together with David 

David said in a Facebook post (pictured) 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.

David stated in a post on Facebook (pictured April 26) that he tested positive for Covid during a fit-to fly test. However, there are no indications that this illness was a factor in his death.

Lesley was married to spiritual healer David (pictured in Samurai gear) - who was known as Da'aboth Te'He'Ling - for fifteen years and the pair lived in West London

Lesley and David were married for fifteen years. The couple lived in West London.

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)

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.'

A friend said to the publication that Lesley is “heartbroken” and the couple was “a real team.”

Lesley has previously spoken of her partnership with her late husband (pictured together), recalling how they 'hit it off.'

Lesley previously spoke of her relationship with her husband, pictured together. She recalls how they “hit it off.”

A friend shared with the publication that Lesley was ‘heartbroken’ and that the couple is ‘a real team’.

He also recalled the couple’s strong love and bond, as well as David’s role in his marriage’s success.

Lesley previously spoke of her relationship with her husband and recalled how they “hit it off.” 

“It is a great partnership. He was a friend who introduced me to him and it just clicked.

“He’s a martial artist, and does lots spiritual stuff such as Reiki. He is still interested in the world around him. 

David shared on his Linkedin page that he found his spiritual side when he was suffering from heart disease. 

The text reads, “I am currently retired but teach Martial Arts, mostly sword and I practice Yoga. 

“This is my way to share my knowledge, and improve my flexibility. After my stroke and heart bypass (2009), I realized that I was squeezing up. 

He stated that he has ‘always felt spiritual’, and that he used to work as both a session musician and a bass guitar player.

After six years of service in the Royal Air Force, he became an aircraft engineer and worked on testing, maintenance, and missiles before turning to freelance. 

As an engineer, he later worked in other firms.  

On his Linkedin page, David (pictured with Lesley in India) said he discovered his spiritual side after he began suffering with heart problems

David (pictured here with Lesley from India) shared that he had discovered his spiritual side while suffering from heart issues.

David (pictured far right) served for six years in the Royal Air Force as an aircraft engineer, working on aircraft, testing, maintenance and missiles, before going freelance

David, pictured at the right, was an engineer for six-years in Royal Air Force. After that, he went freelance and worked on maintenance, aircraft testing, missiles, and aircraft engineering.

Bond: A friend told The Sun that Lesley is 'heartbroken', while branding the couple 'a real couple and team' (pictured October 2017)

Bond: Lesley was reportedly heartbroken by a friend, who told The Sun she believes Bond is. She also called the couple “a couple of real people” (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)

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

She’s back! She’s back!

Lesley’s show How The Hell Did I get Here? was a one-woman production that premiered last month in New York. It has enjoyed tremendous success and will continue to be viewed. 

Original musical, which follows Lesley through his life and career, has been called ‘painting the portrait of Lesley 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.’ 

In Downton Abbey: A New Era last week, the talented actress reprised Mrs Patmore’s role. 

Of her beloved character, Lesley said: ‘She’s insecure and she’s fragile. Sometimes, she’s sarcastic sometimes and can do all of this because of the interaction between them.

‘It’s always nice to go back and be with her again.’ 

Although Lesley and David didn’t have any children, the Manchester-born actress previously acknowledged that she believed she was blessed with’maternal energie’. 

Speaking to The Mirror in 2019, she said: ‘I’m not someone who thinks, “Oh my God, I didn’t have kids”.

“But, I believe I have a motherly 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.’