Theatre and TV actor Michael Patrick has died at the age of 35 after a diagnosis of motor neurone disease.
The actor, from Belfast, was diagnosed with the illness in February 2023 and died on Tuesday at Northern Ireland Hospice where he had been admitted ten days earlier.
His death was announced by his wife Naomi who said he passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends.
In a social media post, she wrote: ‘Words can’t describe how broken-hearted we are.
‘It’s been said more than once that Mick was an inspiration to everyone who was privileged enough to come into contact with him, not just in the past few years during his illness but in every day of his life.
‘He lived a life as full as any human can live. Joy, abundance of spirit, infectious laughter. A titan of a ginger haired man. We are so grateful for every person who supported us through the last few years.’
Michael trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London after studying science at the University of Cambridge.
He appeared in several TV shows including Blue Lights, Game Of Thrones, Soft Border Patrol and My Left Nut.
He was widely recognised for his work in theatre, including a performance as Richard III in a wheelchair for which he won the Judges’ Award at the Stage Awards in January 2025.
Michael continued to work as an actor following his diagnosis and said performing and writing allowed him to focus on something away from his illness and remain positive.
He received the Overcoming Adversity Award at the Spirit of Northern Ireland Awards in 2025 for his continued work and advocacy after his diagnosis.
The Lyric Theatre Belfast, where Michael regularly performed, paid tribute in a statement.
Executive producer Jimmy Fay wrote: ‘Mick showed great strength and dignity in light of his diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). He remained resilient and focused, creating dynamic work throughout his struggles. He performed on the Lyric stage just last November with his autobiographical My Right Foot.
‘We at the Lyric pay tribute to his remarkable talent and send our deepest condolences to his wife Naomi, his mother and sisters, and all his friends, family and colleagues at this sad time. These islands have lost a great artist, and the sky is brighter tonight with his star.’
It is not fully understood why MND occurs and there are currently no treatments to halt its cruel march – instead doctors focus on alleviating the worst of the symptoms.
Around 5,000 adults in the UK have the condition and there is a one in 300 risk of developing it over the course of a lifetime.
The disease causes muscle weakness that gets worse over a few months or years,
Symptoms typically first include stiff or weak hands, weak less and feet which may cause someone to trip over a lot, and twitches spasms or muscle cramps.
As MND gets worse, a sufferer may experience problems breathing, swallowing and speaking. Eventually they will no longer be able to walk or move.
Life expectancy for about half of those with the condition is between just two and give years from the onset of symptoms. But these can worsen rapidly.
Michael is survived by his wife Naomi, his mother Pauline, siblings Kate, Maurice and Hannah and his nephew Michael.
