Tragic BBC star di!es aged 38 after going to bed with a mysterious pain. P0lice are examining the b0dy.
Kristian (right) appeared in both Brookside and Hollyoaks(Image: Channel 4)
Kristian Ealey was a favourite of both fans of Brookside and Hollyoaks until his tragically early death at the age of just 38.
The actor, who was also a talented musician, was best known for his role as Matt Musgrove in the Liverpool-based soap opera, Brookside, which he starred in from 1998 until 2000. However, it was another Liverpool-based drama which gave Kristian his first role when he starred in the iconic drama, Bread, aged just nine.
He then went on to appear in Hollyoaks when he achieved a British first of transitioning the same character into another TV show. He remained part of the cast until 2004. He also appeared in the Hollyoaks spin-offs, Hollyoaks: Indecent Behaviour and Hollyoaks: After Hours.
Kristian was also a popular musician in his home town of Liverpool and regularly performed in the city with his band, Tramp Attack. His skill meant he played Beatles’ icon Ringo Starr in the film In His Life: The John Lennon Story.
However, in May, 2016, the talented performer, who also had a son Jake, is said to have gone to bed while in Italy with a pain in his arm. Tragically, he never woke up.
Kristian played Matt Musgrove in both Brookside and Hollyoaks(Image: Channel 4)
Following his death, co-stars rushed to pay tribute to 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.
“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.”
He was also a talented musician(Image: Daily Mirror)
Former Hollyoaks star Helen Noble, who is now an 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 & musician, and a really lovely guy. RIP.”
The Musgrove family, with Kristian, in Brookside(Image: Channel 4)
Kristian’s cause of death is still believed to be unknown.
On the tenth anniversary of his death earlier this year, grass roots mustic festival, Smithdown, based in Liverpool, paid tribute to the star on social media with a post saying” “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.
“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.”
