FAIR CITY’S BELA Doyle, one of the longest running characters on the show, is bidding farewell to Carrigstown as actor Jim Bartley announces his retirement after almost 34 years.

Bartley joined the cast in 1990 and has been a staple character on the show since.

In Fair City, Bela Doyle was married to Rita and was father to their six children: Helen, Yvonne, Jimmy, Darren, Suzanne and Louise.

Nonetheless, the character had numerous affairs through the years, including a secret love child with Barry O’Hanlon’s girlfriend, Linda, but the baby tragically passed away.

A love triangle with Pauline, Leo Dowling’s love interest and eventual wife, also followed.

When Pauline chose Leo and married him, Bela ended up as Leo’s best man.

Tragedy struck many times with death, drama and heartbreak impacting Doyle and his family over the years, including the death of his daughter, Helen. 

His most enduring friendship through the years in Carrigstown was with Charlie Kelly, an unlikely pair. 

“After over 60 years of association with RTÉ, firstly on Tolka Row, aged 18, and over 30 years spent on Fair City, I have a tinge of sadness bidding this farewell,” Bartley said, adding that “the time has come to focus on my health”.

“I’d like to wish the whole team the very best of luck. To the cast and crew, in particular those who I have spent years working with, it was a joy going to work each day,” he said.

“My heritage goes back through the show, and all the way back to Tolka Row, RTÉ’s first television soap opera, with many lifelong friendships and a lot of special memories created over the years.”

Fair City’s executive producer Brigie de Courcy said: “Everyone at Fair City is sad to see Jim Bartley leave. He was already an iconic figure in Irish soap when he joined us, and his unforgettable performance as Bela Doyle has been a central part of Fair City for over 30 years.

“As the last remaining member of the Doyle clan, his exit marks a huge shift for Carrigstown. His presence will long be felt, both as a performer and as a kind and good-humoured mentor to many younger cast members through the years. I wish him the very best in his retirement.”