Hugh Sheridan shares heartbreaking tribute to his late father

Hugh Sheridan is grieving for his dad Denis, who passed away at the age of 76 on Monday.

The Packed to the Rafters star posted an emotional tribute to his late father to Instagram, posting a poem called 'Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone', along with the caption, "be free papa."

He also shared a photo of his father as a child and a rainbow.

RELATED: Aussie singer Denis Sheridan, the father of actor Hugh Sheridan, dies aged 76

Denis was battling terminal cancer and had been receiving palliative care at Mary Potter Hospice in North Adelaide. His cousin, fashion designer Neville Quist, shared the sad news of his passing on social media yesterday.

"My legendary cousin has exited the stage for the very last time," he wrote. "The King of Swing and former Lord Mayor of Unley who opened for Frank Sinatra at Sanctuary Cove has sadly passed away yesterday surrounded by his beautiful loving family."

Sheridan revealed earlier in the month that his dad was battling a serious health problem, telling The West Australian that he'd gone into palliative care.

His father's deteriorating health was reportedly one of the reasons he proposed to his boyfriend Kurt Roberts during his Hughman show at Adelaide Fringe Festival this year, just months after coming out.

The actor explained that his health was making it difficult to plan when the two would wed.

"It's been hard for all of us. We were planning to get married on New Year's Eve, but I want Dad to be there, so we're not sure," he explained.

The singer, who founded the Adelaide Big Band in 1971, and his son last performed together in March this year, for a tribute show held in Denis' honour at Adelaide's Arkaba Hotel.

"On a more personal note, I have to say the two separate Adelaide Fringe shows I did with my father @denissheridanmusic will remain in my mind as two of the most special performances I've been a part of," Sheridan wrote on an Instagram post at the time.

"Thank YOU dad for always leading the way when it came to music taste and entertainment."

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