‘Downton Abbey’ Cast News: Michelle Dockery’s Boyfriend John Dineen Dies at 34 from Cancer

Michelle Dockery, who plays Lady Mary Crawley on the popular British drama "Downton Abbey," recently lost her fiancé John Dineen at 34 to cancer.

The 34-year-old actress said farewell to her fiancé when he passed away on Sunday at a hospice center near his family home outside Cork in Ireland, Dec. 13, according to the Daily Mail.

Dockery rushed from a promotional tour for "Downton Abbey" in the United States to be with Dineen at his bedside. Since Dineen's death she has thanked her fans for all of their "support and kindness."

Dineen, a PR professional from Ireland, died two days before Dockery's birthday. Dockery has spent her birthday helping his family plan the funeral arrangements.

Before Dineen had been diagnosed with cancer, he was working in London. He traveled back to Ireland after the diagnosis to spend quality time with his family, according to the Irish Independent.

Dockery and Dineen began dating after her "Downtown Abbey" co-star Allen Leech introduced them in 2013. Later that year the pair was seen canoodling at the Venice Film Festival.

"John's like family to me and I knew he'd really get on with Michelle," Leech said of playing matchmaker. "She's a great girl -- probably as far from Lady Mary as you could imagine.'

In interviews Dockery never spoke too much about her relationship with Dineen, but had been reported as saying in 2014, "I have a wonderful man in my life from Ireland. We were introduced by Allen Leech. That's all you need to know."

Earlier this year Dockery had showed off her engagement ring to her "Downton Abbey" co-stars during a script read-through. During this time a source said, "She's over the moon and was showing it off to all of the cast and crew."

The couple had officially been dating for the last two years.