Game of Thrones actor Michael Patrick dies aged 35 after battle with motor neurone disease

A Game of Thrones actor has died just 10 days after being admitted to a hospice with motor neurone disease.

Michael Patrick, who appeared in a season six episode of the hit TV series, lost his battle with the incurable, debilitating illness on Tuesday at the Northern Ireland Hospice, surrounded by family and friends.

His death came three years after he was diagnosed with MND.

The Blue Lights star’s wife, Naomi Sheehan, took to social media to break the news to his thousands of Instagram fans, which was met with hundreds of tributes for the Irishman.

“Last night, Mick sadly passed away in the Northern Ireland Hospice,” she said alongside a sweet photo of the couple in happier times.

“He was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease 1st February 2023.

“He was admitted 10 days ago and was cared for by the incredible team there. He passed peacefully, surrounded by family and friends.”

Sheehan said words couldn’t describe how “broken-hearted” her family was.

“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.

“Mick loved this quote from Brendan Behan, and this feels appropriate now: The most important things to do in the world are to get something to eat, something to drink and somebody to love you.”

His death comes after his neurologist in February predicted that he possibly had one year left to live, with hopes of a drug trial getting him to buy more time.

Thanks to the trial, the actor was able to move one of his feet for the first time in nearly two years.

To give him the best chance of benefiting from this breakthrough, his doctors recommended a tracheostomy — a small tube in the front of his neck to help him breathe.

However, despite a GoFundMe page raising more than $A190,000 for surgery costs and specialist support, Patrick decided not to go through with getting the trache put in due to possible health risks.

“I had confirmation it would be around 6-12 months before I could get home due to lack of staffing resources,” he said in an Instagram post on February 6.

“Thanks so much to everyone who helped push this — from senior social workers, to politicians, to the chief executive of the hospital. Everyone has tried so hard, but there just isn’t the staff.

“Thanks so much for all the donations to the GoFundMe, even though I didn’t go ahead with the trachesotomy — it will still go towards providing me with specialist care as I enter the final stages of life.

“I’m still overwhelmed by all your generosity.”

Outside of TV, Patrick was honoured with one of the UK’s biggest drama awards in 2025 for a “legendary” performance as Richard III in a wheelchair.

At the time he told BBC News NI that he and his writing partner Oisín Kearney had adapted Shakespeare’s play The Tragedy of Richard III with his own illness in mind.

Patrick’s funeral will take place on Monday in Belfast followed by a burial.

He is survived by his wife Naomi, his mother Pauline, siblings Kate, Maurice and Hannah, and his nephew Micheál.