Fair City actor Bryan Murray retiring from soap after 20 years

Bryan Murray is bidding farewell to Fair City

75-year-old Murray is best known for playing Bob Charles on the popular Irish soap.

Bryan Murray will make his final appearance as Bob Charles on Thursday, April 24th.

Fair City's Executive Producer Brigie de Courcy told RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland:

"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.

"He is the very sort of person, when you have a young actor coming in you say to them, 'Go down and watch Bryan and watch what he does, how he occupies the space and how he occupies the screen.'"

Bryan Murray continued to work on Fair City after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2019.

He went public with his diagnosis in 2022 in a bid to raise vital awareness.

He has been praised for continuing to work following the harrowing diagnosis.

"His courage to go and do that, when he didn't quite know what he was going to do or say, was quite exemplary, quite extraordinary.

Brigie de Courcy added: "It was a wonderful opportunity for the crew and the cast to see this that they can continue working even when they have something challenging going on for them."

The team at Fair City also issued a statement following news of his retirement.

"Bryan took on the role of Charles, a man whose complex relationships and gripping storylines captured the attention of viewers across the country.

"Over the years, his portrayal of Bob has been a cornerstone of the show, delivering unforgettable moments."

News of his retirement comes after his wife and actress Una Crawford O’Brien said things have progressed “quite rapidly” for the actor.

She told Brendan Courtney on RTÉ Radio 1:

“Things have progressed quite rapidly in the last two years since we first spoke [about Bryan’s diagnoses]. It has become more difficult, without a doubt. Bryan is fine. He always says he’s great.”

She added, “But a problem with Alzheimer’s is that it affects the memory, and Bryan forgets that he has Alzheimer’s.”