SAD NEWS: TV star’s heartbreaking de@th aged just 38 after mysterious pain
Kristian Ealey was a popular actor and musician best known for his roles in Brookside and Hollyoaks
Kristian (left) was part of the Musgrove family on Brookside (Image: Channel 4)
Kristian Ealey was adored by viewers of both Brookside and Hollyoaks until his heartbreakingly premature passing at just 38.
The actor, who was equally gifted as a musician, was most recognised for his portrayal of Matt Musgrove in the Liverpool-set soap opera, Brookside, appearing from 1998 through to 2000. Yet, it was another Liverpool-centred drama which provided Kristian with his debut role when he featured in the beloved series, Bread, at just nine.
He subsequently joined Hollyoaks where he made British television history by transferring the same character between programmes. He continued as part of the ensemble until 2004.
He also featured in the Hollyoaks spin-offs, Hollyoaks: Indecent Behaviour and Hollyoaks: After Hours.
Kristian was additionally a well-regarded musician in his native Liverpool and frequently took to the stage across the city with his band, Tramp Attack. His proficiency saw him portray Beatles’ legend Ringo Starr in the motion picture In His Life: The John Lennon Story, reports the Daily Star.
Kristian Ealey (right) appeared in both Brookside and Hollyoaks (Image: Channel 4)
Yet, in May 2016, the gifted entertainer, who also left behind a son Jake, is understood to have retired to bed while in Italy experiencing discomfort in his arm. Devastatingly, he failed to awaken.
In the wake of his passing, colleagues were swift to honour Kristian. Former Hollyoaks star Gemma Atkinson said: “Just awful. What a lovely, lovely man! Had many laughs with him at work back in the day. RIP.”
Kristian’s Brookside co-star Suzanne Collins, who is now appearing in Hollyoaks, said: “I’m very privileged to have called him a friend. There were a gang of the young ones who grew up on the set of Brookside, we called ourselves the Brookie Brat Pack and have an incredible bond.
Kristian Ealey was just 38 when he died (Image: Daily Mirror)
“We were together nearly every day on set and we socialised out of work together, we became family. It has shocked us all to the core. Kris was full of life, full of smiles and so full of music.”
Former Hollyoaks actress Helen Noble, now working as a talent agent, wrote: “So saddened to hear the news about Smithdownslim – one of the nicest guys I knew at the oaks. Always smiling £RIPKris.”
Hollyoaks production company Lime Pictures said: “Many crew worked with Kristian on both Hollyoaks and Brookside and enjoyed following his musical success after leaving the show. The news has been met with shock and sadness on set and everyone’s thoughts are with his family at this time.”
Former Hollyoaks star Ben Hull, who played Lewis Richardson from 1996 until 1998, said: “Shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Kristian Ealey. He was such a talented actor and musician, and a really lovely guy. RIP.”
The exact cause of Kristian’s de@th remains unknown.
On the tenth anniversary of his passing earlier this year, grassroots music festival Smithdown, based in Liverpool, paid homage to the star on social media with a post reading: “Today marks 10 years since we lost a local legend, so we want to pay tribute to one of the biggest champions of local music Kris Ealey, who died on 3rd May 2016.
Kristian Ealey was also a talent musician (Image: Channel 4)
“As news spread through the festival it was hard to fully comprehend that we’d lost “Smithdown Slim” at such a young age. Kris was the singer for indie band Tramp Attack, ran Cahoots music venue (where Decent Donuts is now) and also played the role of Matt Musgrove in Hollyoaks and Brookside. We also named our main outdoor stage after him in 2017 and 2018.
“Our thoughts go out to all of his friends and family on this poignant day, so let’s all raise a glass to a real one of a kind.”
