Brookside legend Bryan Murray placed into assisted care following Alzheimer's diagnosis

Brookside star Bryan Murray has been placed into full-time care, his wife has revealed.

The actor, who played Trevor Jordache on the soap, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2019 but continued to work on Irish soap Fair City until he retired last year.

Speaking last month to mark the launch of the Alzheimer’s Tea Day 2026, Murray’s wife and former Fair City co-star Una Crawford O’Brien gave fans an update on his situation.

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.”

This year’s Alzheimer’s Tea Day in Ireland takes place on Thursday 7 May, with O’Brien acting as the national host. You can find out more about how to get involved at the Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s official website.

“Myself and Bryan would really love you to join us,” she said of the day. “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.”

Murray first joined Brookside as Trevor Jordache – the husband of Mandy Jordache, brother of Brenna Jordache, and father of Beth and Rachel Jordache – in 1993.

The actor only appeared in the soap for three months, but his character – a violent and abusive murderer – soon became one of the show’s most infamous villains.

The actor is also well-known for playing Bob Charles in the RTÉ soap opera Fair City – a role he played for two decades before stepping back last year.

Speaking on RTE Radio 1’s Morning Ireland at the time of his retirement, 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.”

Speaking about how Murray had continued to work after his diagnosis, she added: “Initially we put all of his scripts onto a clipboard so he could read his scene and it was very efficient.

“We ended up with a situation where he had a Bluetooth ear loop and we had a dialogue guide who would actually listen to him in rehearsal and pick up his intonations and his rhythms and then he would repeat it back to him on the floor and Bryan would then say the line.”

Murray’s other TV credits include Bread, Casualty, Holby City, The Bill, Silent Witness, and The Tudors.

Watch O’Brien’s appearance on Ireland AM last month below: