Kristian Ealey dead: Hollyoaks and Brookside actor dies aged 38

The cast of Brookside and Hollyoaks have led tributes to late actor

Kristian Ealey in 2001 (Rex features)

Kristian Ealey, an actor and musician best known for his roles in Brookside and Hollyoaks, has died aged 38.

His fellow soap stars led tributes to Ealey, whose character Matt Musgrove appeared in Brookside between 1998 and 2000 and Hollyoaks from 2000 to 2004, as well as Hollyoaks: After Hours.

He has a young son, Jake.

Brookside actress Suzanne Collins said she was “devastated” at the news of his death. She told the Liverpool Echo: "He was brilliant to work with, he was loads of fun.

"He was a fantastic actor, but you should have heard him sing. Musically he was so good, he loved to sing and play the guitar."

Ealey also appeared as Ringo Starr in the film In His Life: The John Lennon Story. He was a popular musician in Liverpool, playing in the band Tramp Attack.

His cause of death is not yet known.