Brookside actor Bryan Murray has been forced to move into 'full-time care' amid his devastating battle with Alzheimer's disease.
The Irish actor, 76, is best known as villainous Trevor Jordache in the Channel 4 soap in 1993, as well roles in 80s sitcom Bread and Irish serial Fair City.
His beloved wife Una opened up about her husband's condition and the difficult decision she made to put him into care at the Alzheimer's Tea Day 2026 last month.
'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 was diagnosed with the disease in 2019 but continued in his role as Bob Charles in the RTE soap, Fair City before retiring last year.
Brookside actor Bryan Murray has been forced to move into 'full-time care' amid his devastating battle with Alzheimer's disease (pictured with wife Una in 2023)
Una has opened up about the struggles for caring for Bryan and that the cruel condition had seen her 'lose' her beloved husband.
She told The Irish Times: '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'.
Bryan's violent Brookside character Trevor was famously buried under the patio after being murdered by his wife Mandy (Sandra Maitland) and daughter Beth (Anna Friel) whom he abused.
The actor quietly left Irish Fair City last year after twenty years on screen but now has no memory of his exit.
Una, who also played his onscreen wife Renee, told The Irish Mirror: 'He wasn't aware that he was finished either and that was good. Once it started to stress him in any way, I knew the time was right for him to finish.'
'[Bosses] respected my decision late last year when I said he would have to finish up. [They] had always said that she was leaving it entirely up to me, which was the best thing she could have done, because I wanted him to do it as long as he possibly could.'
The Irish actor, 76, is best known as Trevor Jordache in the Channel 4 soap (pictured) in 1993 as well roles in 80s sitcom Bread and Irish serial Fair City
Bryan's violent Brookside character Trevor (Left) was famously buried under the patio after being murdered by his wife (Sandra Maitland) and daughter (Anna Friel) whom he abused: Pictured; Murray, Sandra Maitland, Claire Sweeney and Sam Kane on set in 1997
It comes just months after fellow Brookside star Marian Diamond passed away aged 89.
The actress's death was announced by her close friend Miriam Margolyes, who confirmed the sad news in an emotional tribute on social media. You can read the full story here.
She revealed that Marian had passed away at University College Hospital in London on Monday, January 5.
Marian enjoyed a successful acting career and had several roles in TV shows, including Brookside, Jackanory, Doctors and more.
Away from the small screen, she was well known for her distinctive voice roles in a host of BBC radio and television productions.
The actress narrated a series of episodes for children's classic Jackanory, and voiced the part of 'Lady of the Woods' Galadriel in a 1981 radio series adaptation of JR Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.
WHAT IS DEMENTIA?
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of neurological disorders
A GLOBAL CONCERN
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders (those affecting the brain) which impact memory, thinking and behaviour.
There are many types of dementia, of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most common.
Some people may have a combination of different types of dementia.
Regardless of which type is diagnosed, each person will experience dementia in their own unique way.
Dementia is a global concern but it is most often seen in wealthier countries, where people are likely to live into very old age.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED?
The Alzheimer's Society reports there are more than 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK today. This is projected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia, affecting between 50 and 75 per cent of those diagnosed.
In the US, it's estimated there are 5.5 million Alzheimer's sufferers. A similar percentage rise is expected in the coming years.
As a person’s age increases, so does the risk of them developing dementia.
Rates of diagnosis are improving but many people with dementia are thought to still be undiagnosed.
IS THERE A CURE?
Currently there is no cure for dementia.
But new drugs can slow down its progression and the earlier it is spotted, the more effective treatments can be.
Source: Alzheimer’s Society