One of Fair City's most memorable faces has accused RTÉ of airbrushing him from a new DVD celebrating 20 years of the programme.

Stuart Dunne, who played gangster Billy Meehan in one of the soap's most acclaimed storylines, says he is disappointed he was not one of 18 actors past and present interviewed for the anniversary special.

"It's my belief that RTÉ is trying to airbrush me from the history of Fair City. It wasn't a case that they asked me and I turned them down over an issue like money. I was never approached about it at all," said Dunne.

Among Dunne's fans is Kilkenny man Ray Cleere who has watched every single episode of Fair City since it began in 1989.

"Stuart Dunne gave the best performance of an Irish actor I've ever seen. It surpassed anything I've seen in a Hollywood movie," said Cleere.

Gripping the nation in 2001, the storyline featured Dunne as local crime lord Billy Meehan who abused both his wife and mistress before being murdered. The storyline is widely credited as being the moment that brought Irish viewers to Fair City in significant numbers.

An image of Meehan's murder is featured on the back cover of 20 Years In Carrigstown. However, 47-year-old Dunne says it was this dark storyline that sealed his fate.

"I can remember a senior figure from the programme was quoted afterwards saying Billy Meehan was a one-off because they didn't want Fair City turning into Eastenders. The funny thing is that's what happened. My character Billy never killed anyone but after I left, they introduced guns."

Dunne says he is still mystified as to why his character was killed off.

"The Billy storyline was so popular, the cost of buying ads during the breaks went through the roof. I was shocked when I got the news they were going to kill me off. They didn't tell me myself. I heard through my agent and I still can't understand it. People say they killed Billy because he became a bigger character than the show, but having JR Ewing in Dallas never did it in any harm."

Now a successful painter, Dunne says he would be willing to return to Fair City if asked.

"I think I brought enjoyment to people when I was Billy and I'd love to do it again. If an offer came to join the cast of Fair City again, I'd be happy to do it. I know I was killed in my last episode, but it would be up to the writers to find a storyline in which I could come back."