Bryan Murray, who appeared in Brookside, has moved into ‘full-time care’ after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, it has been announced by his wife
16:09, 27 Apr 2026Updated 17:56, 27 Apr 2026
Bryan has moved into full-time care(Image: MERSEY TELEVISION )
Bryan Murray, best known for his appearance in Brookside, has been moved into “full-time care” following his Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
Bryan’s wife Una Crawford O’Brien revealed the news at the 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’s wife Una shared the news(Image: Irish Mirror)
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.” She added that she has been supported by The Alzheimer Society of Ireland.
The 76-year-old former actor played Trevor Jordache in 1993. He was the husband of Mandy Jordache, the brother of Brenna Jordache, and the dad of Beth and Rachel Jordache. He was also known for playing Bob Charles in the RTE soap, Fair City.
Bryan still continued to appear on the Irish soap until last year, when he retired after 20 years of playing Bob Charles. The Dublin-born actor was initially diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2019, but didn’t reveal his diagnosis until years later.
Bryan played Trevor Jordache in Brookside(Image: STRICT EMBARGO: TV Listings Magazines Monday 1st February , Weekly newspapers Monday 1st February and Daily Newspapers and Websites Saturday 6th February 2016)
In 2022 he went public with his story to raise awareness, 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 Una while appearing on Fair City, the real-life couple played lovers on screen with their characters having an affair on-screen and later marrying. 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.”
Bryan appeared in just 24 episodes of Brookside, but his character was one of Brookside’s most infamous, as a violent and abusive murderer.
During his career he also appeared in numerous British TV shows including Casualty, Holby City, The Bill, Silent Witness, and The Tudors.
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