Former Brookside actor Bryan Murray has moved into full-time care following his Alzheimer’s diagnosis, his wife Una Crawford O’Brien has confirmed. The 76-year-old, who played Trevor Jordache in the Channel 4 soap, was diagnosed with the condition in 2019 but only went public in 2022.
Una, also an actress, shared the news at the Alzheimer’s Tea Day 2026 event last month. 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.”
Murray, who was born in Dublin, retired last year after 20 years playing Bob Charles in the RTÉ soap Fair City. He met Una on set, where they played on-screen lovers who later married in real life.
Speaking to The Irish Times, Una described losing 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.
Murray appeared in only 24 episodes of Brookside but his character Trevor Jordache remains one of the show’s most infamous, a violent and abusive murderer. His other TV credits include Casualty, Holby City, The Bill, Silent Witness, and The Tudors.
