It’s a dark day for Malta’s arts scene…

Activists, audiences, and producers alike are mourning the loss of Joe Debono, aged 63, an actor best known for his portrayal of comical character ‘James Bondin’.

Joe would make appearances as James Bondin during the weekly talk-show Xarabank, which got cancelled a few years ago. There he’d put up short yet witty skits to inject some comic relief into the program.

Only last year, Joe announced that he was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) – a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.

Shortly after his diagnosis, Joe lost the ability to speak.

“Today’s a very hard day. My brother, Joseph Debono, has just passed away,” Joe’s brother, Louis Debono, wrote on social media.

“He’s finally resting and has left behind lots of love and smiles,” Louis continued.

Hundreds of people took to the post’s comments section to pay tribute to Joe and offer their condolences to the family.

Despite his fight with ALS, Joe managed to write and finish a novel titled Iz-Ziju Manwel days before his death.

This earned him the Nazzareno Vassallo Award – an honour that recognises the achievements of those working to help the elderly.

“Thank you for all that you taught me, Joe. Goodbye, friend,” ALS patient and activist Bjorn Formosa wrote on social media.

“ALS is cruel disease that spares no one. We would have loved to see Joe become a resident at the new DAR BJORN, but unfortunately this was not possible,” he continued.

Rest in peace, Joe!