The 76-year-old Dublin-born actor was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2019
14:41, 27 Apr 2026Updated 15:59, 27 Apr 2026
Actor Bryan Murray in a scene from the BBC television sitcom ‘Bread'(Image: Getty)
Brookside legend Bryan Murray has been moved into “full time care” following his Alzheimer’s diagnosis. The former actor played the memorable role of Trevor Jordache in 1993. He was the husband of Mandy Jordache, the brother of Brenna Jordache, and the dad of Beth and Rachel Jordache.
Bryan’s wife Una Crawford O’Brien spoke at the launch of Alzheimer’s Tea Day 2026 last month about her husband’s condition. She said: “Over the past year, Bryan’s needs became far greater, and he has now moved into full time care. Up until now I didn’t have time to think. My day was completely focused on Bryan and his needs. Now I have time to miss him.
“Alzheimer’s Tea Day is on Thursday, May 7 and myself and Bryan would really love you to join us. You can take part in whatever way you want. You can host a huge Tea Party in your garden or simply put the kettle on and share a cuppa with friends. What matters most is that you are there. Please sign up today. It really is so important.”
Bryan Murray on Brookside(Image: Channel 4)
Una said there is no way that Bryan would have been able to cope without the help of family and friends and the extraordinary support the family had received from The Alzheimer Society of Ireland.
In an interview with The Irish Times, Una revealed she has “lost” her friend and companion. She said: “Bryan isn’t happy and he used to be such a happy person. I think it’s because he just doesn’t know about anything really.”
The 76-year-old Dublin-born actor was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2019 but continued to appear on Irish soap Fair City. He retired in 2025 after 20 years of playing Bob Charles on the RTE soap.
He went public with his story in 2022 to raise awareness of the disease and to help others. Speaking on RTE Radio 1’s Morning Ireland at the time, Fair City’s Executive Producer Brigie de Courcy said: “We are all very sad about this. Bryan has been an absolutely wonderful part of the team for the last 20 years, an integral part of the story and an absolute consummate professional.
“He is the very sort of person, when you have a young actor coming in you say to them, ‘go down and watch Bryan and watch what he does, how he occupies the space and how he occupies the screen’.”
Bryan met his on and off-screen partner, Una, on Fair City. Their characters had an affair on-screen and later married. Speaking to The Ray D’Arcy Show, Una said: “I don’t mind looking after him – sometimes it can be frustrating, sometimes it can be annoying, sometimes it’s funny.
“I think it is the sadness when you realise that your life has changed because of being a carer. When we got together, he made me laugh so much, I fell off a chair! He brought laughter back into my life.”
Rita Tushingham and Bryan Murray seen here during a break in filming the BBC the comedy “Bread” (Image: Mirrorpix)
In Brookside, Bryan’s short but remembered role as villain Trevor changed soap history forever. Trevor was a violent and sexually abusive husband and dad. When his partner Mandy picked up a kitchen knife and murdered Trevor with it, it led to one of the most shocking soap storylines in TV history as Mandy and Beth then buried the body under the patio of the house.
Despite only appearing in 24 episodes of Brookside, his character was one of Brookside’s most famous. He also made appearances in Liverpool TV show Bread. Bryan played The Boswells’ cousin Shifty, a role for which he won a BBC TV Personality of the Year Award.
Speaking about the show, the soap star said: “When you meet Jean [Boht], the warmth she gives you is the equivalent of your mother. You’re being welcomed home. Jean was amazing.”