Blue Lights and Game of Thrones actor Michael Patrick tragically dies at just 35
Tributes have poured in for the Belfast star
Michael Patrick, star of Blue Lights and Game of Thrones, has sadly died at the age of 35.
The Belfast-born actor and writer Michael Campbell, professionally known as Michael Patrick, died in Northern Ireland on Tuesday (April 07, 2026) in tragic circumstances. His wife has been left “heart-broken”.
Posting the sad news on social media, Michael’s widow Naomi said he “lived a life as full as any human can live”.
She went on to described him as a “titan of a ginger haired man”.
Who was Blue Lights actor Michael Patrick?
The late actor Michael Patrick was an actor and writer from Belfast.
He trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London, after studying science at the University of Cambridge. While at Cambridge he performed with the famous Cambridge Footlights Comedy Troupe. He was also a member of the National Youth Theatre in the UK.
Michael co-wrote the BBC series My Left Nut [with Oisín Kearney]. The comedym which he also starred in, was based on Michael’s own experiences as a teenager. It went on to win several awards, including the Royal Television Society Northern Ireland Awards for Drama in 2020. Michael also received the Royal Television Society Yorkshire Awards for Best Writing in 2021.
As a writer, he’d also contributed as a story writer on Soft Border Patrol, and wrote the 2025 film Helpless starring Derry Girls’ Saoirse-Monica Jackson.
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His acting work included playing the roles of Wildling Rioter in Game of Thrones, Robin in The Spectacular, Martin Corrigan in Blue Lights, and Bonny in This Town.
Michael Patrick death: What did he die of?
Michael died of Motor Neurone Disease, having been diagnosed in February 2023. He continued to act and write during his tragic health battle. But tragically, he died on Tuesday at NI Hospice.
Motor Neurone Disease, also known as MND, is a devastating illness that is a rare, rapidly progressive, and fatal neurodegenerative disease. It damages motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, causing muscles to weaken, waste away, and eventually paralyse.
Early signs often include muscle weakness, cramps, and stiff joints, especially in hands and feet, or slurred speech. While there is no cure, treatments aim to manage symptoms.
Renowned physicist Stephen Hawking lived with it for decades, while the disease took the life of Leeds Rhinos rugby league player Rob Burrow in 2024.
While appearing in a show at the Dublin Fringe Festival in 2023, Michael started experiencing symptoms. Less than a year later, he could not stand up and had to use a wheelchair.
Talking about his diagnosis and symptoms on social media in February, Michael said his neurologist had given him one year left to live. He had decided not to go ahead with a tracheostomy so he could spend that time out of a hospital. He also told BBC News NI that writing about his condition could be hard but also “cathartic”.
His funeral has been scheduled for Monday, April 13, 2026.
3 years of having mnd.
Still shite craic. pic.twitter.com/NjWIIzu3O8
— Michael Patrick (@micktheejit) February 6, 2026
He was a ‘titan of a ginger haired man’
Posting on social media, Michael’s wife Naomi said his family was broken-hearted. She said: “He lived a life as full as any human can live.”
She went on to describe him as a “titan of a ginger haired man”.
Naomi’s post continued: “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.
“Joy, abundance of spirit, infectious laughter. A titan of a ginger haired man.”
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Tributes for the actor
The Lyric Theatre Belfast – where Michael performed the leading role in Shakespeare’s Richard III in a wheelchair – released a statement about his death.
It read: “These islands have lost a great artist, and the sky is brighter tonight with his star. Mick showed great strength and dignity in light of his diagnosis MND. He remained resilient and focused, creating dynamic work throughout his struggles.
“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.”
Meanwhile, Belfast’s the MAC theatre said after Michael Patrick’s death: “Michael was an incredible actor, writer, creator and friend to all of those lucky enough to know him. He lit up stages with his poignant storytelling where he laid bare his life experience. Exploring themes of death, grief and his more recent motor neurone disease diagnosis with bravery, and a fierce comic side.”
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