On 11 May 2007, he announced on BBC Radio Lancashire that he had been undergoing chemotherapy treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma in his throat, and was being advised to rest by his doctors, but he remained positive about his future.[29] The cancer was successfully treated, but returned in November 2016.[30]
Armfield died of the disease on 22 January 2018 in Blackpool, at the age of 82.[31][30]
RIP Dónall. A lovely man by all accounts. I was only in Glenroe the other day and the little cafe we had lunch in had a picture of the whole cast of Glenroe. Myself and the other fella were remarking on how many of them were now dead.
RIP. Top class corner back in his day. A big hardy hoor when backs were there to fuck the forwards out of it. Uncompromising would fit the bill concisely.