Jamie Dornan’s obstetrician father Jim dies aged 73 after Covid battle

Fifty Shades Of Grey actor Jamie Dornan’s world renowned obstetrician father Jim has died aged 73 after contracting coronavirus.

Leukaemia & Lymphoma NI confirmed the news on Twitter on Monday, writing: ‘Very sad news this morning on the passing of Professor Jim Dornan, a passionate patron, advocate and friend to all at @LAL_NI.

‘Jim was champion for so many small charities and causes in NI and that legacy will live on. Condolences to family and friends at this sad time.’

Dornan had previously been diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and had worked closely with the charity.

He was a renowned obstetrician and gynaecologist, working in the Belfast trust from 1986 to 2012.

Dornan later became a professor of Foetal Medicine at Queen’s University Belfast from 1995 to 2012. 

He was also a senior vice-president of the Royal College of Gynaecologists from 2004 to 2006.

Aside from his medical career, he also took a guest role in his son Jamie’s gripping BBC One series The Fall, where he played police board member John Porter, in a 2016 episode. 

Dornan is survived by his wife Samina and three children Liesa, Jessica, and Jamie, who is yet to comment on the sad news.

North Antrim MP Ian Paisley and Nichola Rooney, Chair of Division of Clinical Psychology NI, also paid tribute. 

Rooney, Chair of Division of Clinical Psychology NI, tweeted: ‘The great Prof Jim Dornan. One of a kind. His glass brimmed over. 

‘A true visionary. Early 90’s he saw the benefit that Clinical Psychology could bring to the women in RMJH & made it happen. My friend. RIP. Love to Samina, Liesa, Jess & Jamie.’

According to Belfast Telegraph, Paisley said: ‘It is with great sadness that I learnt this morning of the passing of world renowned professor Jim Dornan. 

‘I wish to express to his wife Samina and his children Jamie, Liesa, and Jessica my profound sadness. 

‘Jim was a wonderful man, he was engaged in political lobbying and promotion of many medical and non medical issues. 

‘Above all he loved Northern Ireland and was so proud of this place. 

‘His ambition, expressed often to me, was to see Northern Ireland and its people flourish and be the best. 

‘No obstacle was ever insurmountable for him and he was a great source of encouragement.

‘I will miss our many chats and text messages and his ability to challenge and encourage change.’ 

BBC NI Health Correspondent Marie-Louise Connolly tweeted: ‘It is with much sadness that I am writing that Professor Jim Dornan has died. 

‘Hard to accept that someone with so much life, wit, and full of advice and laughter has left this world. 

‘A true friend. Thoughts are with his family and medical friends around the world. RIP Jim.’

Tributes have poured in for the renowned obstetrician following the sad news as people praised the ‘lasting legacy’ he has left in the medical world in Northern Ireland.  

Dornan was a renowned doctor and professor known for his charity work with several groups in Northern Ireland.

His first wife Lorna Dornan tragically passed away in 1998 after being diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer.

Dornan, who later remarried gynaecologist Samina Dornan, was president of NIPanC, a Northern Ireland Pancreatic Cancer group.

As well as his renowned career and charity work, he also had a guest appearance on son Jamie’s gripping BBC One series The Fall, where he plays creepy mass murderer Paul Spector. 

Dornan played John Porter in the 2016 episode where he had to ask Assistant Chief Constable Jim Burns (John Lynch) for an update in Spector’s case. 

Talking about the cameo at the time, Jim told The Belfast Telegraph: ‘It was the writer and producer Allan Cubitt’s idea. 

‘I met him socially and he asked me to take part in The Fall. He really wanted me to do it for Jamie. 

‘Jamie had finished filming and he had no idea I was going to be in it. It came as a real surprise to him when he found out.’

And although his son has made a name for himself in the acting world, Jim admitted that he did in fact consider acting as a career.

‘I certainly would have considered acting as a career if medicine hadn’t worked out,’ he added.

More recently, Dornan appeared in the latest series of Marcella alongside Anna Friel, which was filmed in Belfast.

He played the small role of a deputy chief constable and appeared in a scene with Ray Panthaki, who plays DI Rav Sangha. 

Talking about the debut, he previously told Sunday Life about his role: ‘It was pure chance. 

‘I was dining with my cousin at General Merchants on the Newtownards Road about two years ago when the director asked his companion who I was because I was familiar-looking.

‘He told her he’d like me for a wee cameo, so that was that. I did have about two lines as well, but they seem to have ended up on the cutting room floor.’

Jamie previously revealed that he has asked his father for acting advice, he told BBC America: ‘My dad will always try to give me some tips or advice on every character I play whether it’s a serial killer or sexual dominant.’ 

The Irish actor has had a successful acting career with his starring roles such as Paul Spector in The Fall and Christian Grey in the film version of racy novels Fifty Shades Of Grey, which he stars in alongside Dakota Johnson. 

Jamie has been married to wife Amelia Warner since 2013 and they have three children Dulcie, seven, Elva, five, and baby daughter Alberta.