Author and actor Joe Debono has passed away, succumbing to the debilitating disease ALS on Wednesday.
Debono was best known for playing the comical character James Bondin in Xarabank, a wigged man who would crack satirical jokes to break the tension during the programme.
Debono was diagnosed with ALS, which occurs when nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord cease to work correctly, in March 2020, and lost the ability to speak recently as a result of the neurodegenerative disease.
The news was announced by Debono's brother Louis on Facebook, and many took to social media to remember the actor.
Debono first appeared on television in 1988, and produced and presented a number of well-known programmes such as Aħn’Aħna jew M’Aħniex, Asterix, O Żmien Ħelu and Bir-Rispett Kollu.
Debono was also an author, and he managed to finish his novel Iz-Ziju Manwel despite suffering the ill affects of ALS, and only days ago received the Nazzareno Vassallo Award to honour the achievements of people who work to improve the lives of the elderly. He was one of four authors to receive the award after they carried out virtual readings to connect with the elderly during the Covid-19 pandemic in a range of private and state-run homes.
Prominent ALS activist Bjorn Formosa was among those leading the tributes, thanking Debono for how much he had taught him.
Formosa said that ALS is a cruel disease which spares nobody, and that he would have liked Debono to be a resident in the new Dar Bjorn, but that unfortunately he had not managed to make it. He appealed for donations towards the building of this new residence.
More to follow