EastEnders star shares heartbreak over the tragic death of beloved brother in emotional post

Former EastEnders star Sean Maguire has shared his heartbreak over the loss of his brother Darren in an emotional new post on Instagram.

The LA-based actor, 49, who starred in the BBC soap as Aidan Brosnan in 1993 before going on to launch a pop career, opened up on his agony on a recent post by Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi.

Taking to the comments on Lewis’ post about his comeback single Survive, Sean admitted that he’d been going through a ‘tough time’ and had broken down in tears after listening to one of Lewis’ songs.

He penned: ‘Lewis been a fan for a while. Don’t like talking about this s****. But having a tough time just now. Lost my brother six months ago. Holding it together.

‘But dropped my kids off this morning and played ‘someone you loved’ and hit differently. Then burst into tears.’

He concluded: ‘I didn’t know I needed it. Maybe I did. Had to pull the car over and keep singing and crying. Thank you for the therapy. Really thank you. You helped me get back up. X.’

Former EastEnders star Sean Maguire has shared his heartbreak over the loss of his brother Darren in an emotional new post on Instagram

The LA-based actor, 49, who starred in the BBC soap as Aidan Brosnan in 1993 before going on to launch a pop career, opened up on his agony on a recent post by Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi (pictured on the soap with Nicola Stapleton)

Taking to the comments on Lewis’ post about his comeback single Survive , Sean admitted that he’d been going through a ‘tough time’ and had broken down in tears after listening to one of Lewis’ songs

Sean’s comment was met with several supportive messages from other Instagram users, many of whom shared their own stories of grief and heartbreak.

Sean, who first found fame as Grange Hill’s Tegs Ratcliffe in 1988, previously shared the news of his brother’s death on January 15, four days after his passing.

Taking to Instagram alongside a video of images of his sibling over the years, Sean shared: ‘I’ve struggled to find the words or even choose the pictures for this. Because it means that it’s real but for those who don’t already know our beloved brother Darren Maguire passed away on Saturday, 11th January.

‘He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family. He was a truly remarkable man, friend, son, brother, and father. 

‘He was so loved by everyone that knew him. I’m still in so much shock.

‘I can barely form a sentence, but I know the world has lost one of its most beloved people and I have lost my best friend. We love you Darren and we’ll never stop loving you. Now go make them laugh and dance heaven.’ 

During Sean’s almost year-long stint on EastEnders, he portrayed the role of troubled drug addict teen Aidan.

Sean left the soap in 1993 after a turbulent 11-months on the Square, during which his character suffered homelessness and depression before returning to Ireland in an attempt to reconnect with his parents.

Sean’s comment was met with several supportive messages from other Instagram users, many of whom shared their own stories of grief and heartbreak

Sean, who first found fame as Grange Hill’s Tegs Ratcliffe in 1988, previously shared the news of his brother’s death on January 15, four days after his passing [pictured with his brother]

Taking to Instagram with a video of images of his sibling over the years, Sean shared: ‘I’ve struggled to find the words or even choose the pictures for this. Because it means that it’s real’

‘He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family. He was a truly remarkable man, friend, son, brother, and father. He was so loved by everyone that knew him. I’m still in so much shock’

The TV star is a proud father to three children, who he shares with wife Tanya Flynn 

After leaving Albert Square, he embarked on a pop career, bagging eight top 30 hits including Good Day, which peaked at an impressive number 12 in the UK singles chart.  

He has since enjoyed a successful career in the United States, with a steady stream of minor roles leading to recurring part in fantasy drama Once Upon A Time.

Last year, he appeared in popular show Death in Paradise as it marked its 100th episode – 13 years after he appeared in the first ever episode. 

Sean moved to California in 2000, becoming a US citizen in time to vote in the presidential election. 

The TV star is a proud father to three children, who he shares with wife Tanya Flynn.