An 81-year-old Irish soap icon has been compelled to publicly confirm he is alive and well after a cruel online hoax falsely announced his death.
‘I’m very much alive!’: The shocking phone calls begin
Jim Bartley, beloved for his role as Bela Doyle on RTÉ's Fair City for 34 years, took to the airwaves of RTÉ's Liveline on January 9, 2026 to quash the disturbing rumours. The actor explained that the distressing situation began when his wife, Helen, answered a condolence call from a relative.
‘We got a phone call this morning and my wife Helen answered the phone, it was a cousin of hers,’ Bartley told presenter Kieran Cuddihy. ‘He was ringing up to say he was sorry for her loss. Helen said ‘what loss’? He said ‘Jim passing away’. She said ‘no he’s not, he’s right here’.’
The source of the misinformation was traced to an online Fair City fan page, which not only reported the actor's passing but also shared a fabricated image purporting to be from his funeral. This led to a flood of concerned calls from friends and distant family members.
The serious impact of a ‘not funny’ hoax
While Bartley initially tried to find humour in the bizarre situation, he quickly highlighted the profound emotional toll such false reports take. ‘It’s a shock to people who know me for years,’ he stated, noting he would have to assure regulars at his local pub that he was still alive.
‘You can laugh at it but the serious side of it is really very hard on family,’ Bartley emphasised. ‘It’s not funny. I tried to get a laugh out of it myself but when you realise the serious effect that it has on people, it’s not funny.’
He extended a heartfelt apology to all those who had been upset by the news, demonstrating the widespread ripple effect of the online fabrication.
A legendary career and a fond farewell to Carrigstown
The false report comes just a few years after Bartley's poignant departure from Fair City. He played the iconic Bela Doyle from 1990 until 2023, making him a cornerstone of the long-running soap. His exit marked the end of the Doyle clan in the fictional Carrigstown.
Upon leaving, Bartley expressed ‘a tinge of sadness’, reflecting on over 60 years of association with RTÉ, beginning with the broadcaster's first television soap, Tolka Row, when he was just 18.
Brigie de Courcy, the show's executive producer, paid tribute at the time, calling Bartley ‘an iconic figure in Irish soap’ and praising his ‘unforgettable performance’ and his role as a mentor to younger cast members.
Beyond Fair City, Jim Bartley's extensive career included roles in The Bill, Coronation Street, and films such as War of the Buttons and The Pink Panther Strikes Again.
