Line of Duty’s Brian McCardie’s reason behind loss of life revealed by household
Line of Duty actor Brian McCardie died after suffering a tear to a major heart artery, his devastated family have revealed.
The actor, best known for playing underworld boss John Thomas ‘Tommy’ Hunter in the popular BBC police drama, passed away suddenly at his home in April, aged 59.
In a post shared on X – formerly Twitter – his sister Sarah revealed he had an aortic dissection, a rare condition where a weakened aorta wall tears.
She wrote: ‘Hi all, the McCardie family would like to thank everyone for their overwhelming support regarding the sudden passing of Brian James McCardie, beloved son, brother, uncle and friend.
‘Brian died due to an aortic dissection, causing short pain and a sudden death.’
Brian McCardie died after suffering a tear to a major heart artery his heartbroken family have revealed
His sister Sarah posted to X to let fans know that he had an aortic dissection – a rare condition where a weakened aorta wall rips
Updating fans about Brian’s final farewell, she added: ‘There will be a funeral mass held on Thursday 23rd May at 11.30am at St Mary’s Church, 70 Bannatyne Street, Lanark.
‘We then move on at 1.30pm to Holytown Crematorium, Memorial Way, Holytown, Motherwell, where we will celebrate Brian’s life before he takes his final bow.
‘There will be links available to both the mass and the cremation service for those who cannot attend in person.
‘We will feel your support from afar. With love and thanks, The McCardie family, Eddie, Moira, Martin, Ed, Liz and Sarah. Xxx.’
The British Heart Foundation says aortic dissection occurs when the weakened wall of the aorta tears, causing blood to leak between the layers that make up the walls of the arteries – with symptoms including sudden and severe chest pain, pain in the jaw and face, and shortness of breath.
Glasgow-born Brian’s 35-year acting career saw him star alongside Sean Bean in the 2021 BBC prison drama ‘Time’ and in the film ‘Rob Roy’, as well as ‘Trainspotting’ creator Irvine Welsh’s ‘Crime’ TV series.
His film appearances included Irvine’s police thriller ‘Filth’ and ‘Low Winter Sun’ featuring Mark Strong.
The news of Brain’s passing was announced on X, formerly Twitter, by Sarah who said he was gone ‘much too soon’.
Brian’s sister thanked fans for their overwhelming support and disclosed how the actor passed away suddenly, following with details of his funeral
Line of Duty star Brian McCardie in his role in the BBC policing drama as John Thomas ‘Tommy’ Hunter
The post read: ‘It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Brian James McCardie, beloved son, brother, uncle and dear friend to so many.
‘Brian passed away suddenly at home on Sunday 28th April. A wonderful and passionate actor on stage and screen, Brian loved his work and touched many lives, and is gone much too soon.’
Sarah continued: ‘We love him and will miss him greatly; please remember Brian in your thoughts.’
Sarah later told BBC Scotland that the family were ‘devastated’ by his death.
The post prompted dozens of tributes from fans, friends and fellow actors.
Lisa Sneddon, 42, said: ‘I said to my neighbour just last week “I’ve not seen Brian around for a while“, so I was totally gutted when I read online that he had died.
‘He was a brilliant guy, and he always took time to speak to people if they stopped him in the street – my wee boy has had loads of pictures taken with him.
‘Everyone around here is pretty shocked because even though we don’t exactly know him personally, it felt like we did because you seen him often.
‘My thoughts are with his family and friends.’
McCardie appeared alongside Sandra Bullock in action thriller sequel Speed 2: Cruise Control (above)
Sean Bean (left) and Brian McCardie (right) in the BBC’s hit TV prison drama ‘Time’
United Agents, which had represented the actor, said: ‘We are shocked and so deeply saddened by the tragic news of Brian McCardie’s sudden death.
‘He was an actor of such great talent who we were lucky to represent, and our thoughts are very much with his family and friends at this difficult time.’
Brian had a lucrative 365 year acting career and appeared in episodes of The Bill, Holby City and Sky Atlantic series Domina, as well as the crass detective Dougie Gillman in the film adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s darkly comic police drama Filth opposite James McAvoy.
The accomplished actor took on a string of roles that took in his native Scotland, the rest of the UK and even Hollywood, appearing in action sequel Speed 2 and in Rob Roy opposite Liam Neeson.
However when asked by The Herald which of his roles he’d be remembered for most, he joked: ‘Probably Crimewatch.’
Brian McCardie in Agatha Christie’s ‘Murder is Easy’
McCardie appeared in a BBC adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Murder Is Easy as Detective Bull
He told the paper he voluntarily walked away from Hollywood after working on five films in four years, adding that he found Tinseltown ‘Machiavellian’.
McCardie added: ‘I think my representatives at the time were trying to put me into a box. You know, have a six-pack and be well-built with a chiselled jawline. Be some kind of prototype, young actor.
‘And I had no interest in playing an idealised version of people.’
Brian grew up in North Lanarkshire, moving from Motherwell to Carluke, south-east of Glasgow, and developing an interest in acting at an early age.
It was during secondary school that he developed his passion for theatre and acting, starring in a production of ‘Godspell’ with a local drama group.
