Downton Abbey's Michelle Dockery thanks fans for support after fianc's death

Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery is thanking fans for their "support and kindness" after the death of her fianc over the weekend.

Dockery, known to fans worldwide as Downton Abbey's widowed Lady Mary Crawley, withdrew from a U.S. promotional tour for the hit British period drama late last week.

She rushed to Ireland to join fianc John Dineen, who was at a hospice in Cork.

Dineen, a 34-year-old, London-based public relations executive, died Sunday. According to reports, he wasdiagnosed with a rare form of cancer earlier in 2015.

"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," read the statement issued through Dockery's publicist.

A private funeral is expected in Cork on Wednesday.

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Dockery, who celebrates her 34th birthday Tuesday, and Dineen had been dating since 2013. The couple were introduced by Dockery's Downton Abbey co-star Allen Leech.

The final, sixth season of Downton Abbey, which has already aired in the U.K.,debuts in North America on Jan. 3.