Michelle Dockery spends her birthday preparing to say a final goodbye to her fiancé after he died aged 34 from 'a rare form of cancer'

Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery has spent her birthday preparing to bid a final farewell to her fiancé John Dineen, who passed away on Sunday.

The actress rushed back from the US to be at the bedside of John Dineen, a PR professional from Ireland who she has been dating for two years.

Mr Dineen died at a hospice near his family home outside Cork on Sunday morning, two days before Ms Dockery's birthday today. It is understood she spent the day helping his family arrange his funeral.

The actress - who plays widowed Lady Mary Crawley in the period drama - broke off from a promotional tour to be with him in his final hours. She has thanked fans for their 'support and kindness'.

The couple are understood to have been dating for more than a year since they got together in 2013.

Mr Dineen had been working in London but had gone back to Ireland to spend time with his family after he was diagnosed with cancer, the Irish Independent reported.

He is understood to have travelled to Germany for treatment earlier this year, but died in Cork's Marymount Hospice on Sunday. The local parish priest said: 'It is a sensitive time for the family'.

A spokesman for Ms Dockery said: 'The family is very grateful for the support and kindness they have received but would kindly request that they are left to grieve in private.'