Line of Duty star's cause of death confirmed

The cause of death for Line of Duty actor Brian McCardie has been disclosed.

Known for his role as the formidable crime boss John Thomas 'Tommy' Hunter in the hit BBC series, Brian passed away at the age of 59. His sister Sarah, who, paid tribute to the "wonderful and passionate actor" on social media last month, has now shared more details about his sudden death.

She confirmed her brother's funeral will be held on Thursday, May 23. She revealed he died of an aortic dissection, a serious condition described by the NHS as a tear in the wall of the major artery carrying blood out of the heart.

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In her message, she said: "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."

She continued: "There will be a funeral mass held on Thursday 23rd May at 11.30am at St Mary's Church, 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", reports the Daily Star.

"For those unable to attend, links to both the mass and cremation service will be made available. Your support from afar will be felt. With love and thanks, The McCardie family, Eddie, Moira, Martin, Ed, Liz and Sarah. Xxx."

McCardie most recently appeared as Sir Marcus MacRannoch in an episode of Outlander.

He had just joined the cast of the upcoming Outlander prequel series, Blood of My Blood, where he was set to play the chief of Clan Grant. His acting career spanned more than 35 years, with numerous roles across popular television shows.

McCardie also graced the silver screen with roles in films such as Rob Roy, Irvine Welsh's Filth, and Low Winter Sun, where he acted alongside Mark Strong. While he was widely recognized for his part in Line of Duty, he also featured in the BBC prison drama Time with Sean Bean in 2021.

Originally from Motherwell, McCardie's family relocated to Carluke during his school years, which is when he discovered a passion for theatre.

He took part in a local production of the musical Godspell, performed by a drama group consisting of youths from surrounding schools. According to the British Heart Foundation, an aortic dissection occurs when there is a tear in the wall of the aorta, allowing blood to flow between the layers of the artery wall.

Symptoms of an aortic dissection can include sudden severe chest pain, facial or jaw pain, and difficulty breathing. It's crucial for anyone experiencing these symptoms to immediately call 999 for urgent medical assistance.

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