Only Fools and Horses star Patrick Murray has spoken about his devastation at being separated from his Thai wife and toddler daughter due to a visa issue.
The former actor, who played Delboy’s wide boy friend Mickey Pearce, told The Sun: “It’s really heartbreaking.
“I miss them both terribly.”
Patrick, 61, who now works as a cab driver, revealed that a rule about minimum income for non-European spouses meant that Anong, 36, was not entitled to live in the UK.
She currently lives in Thailand with their two-year-old daughter, Josie.
“Theresa May changed the rules in 2012 and didn’t take into account anybody who has children,” he added.
Patrick needs to prove he has an annual income of at least £22,400 or savings of at least £62,500, and cannot do this until he’s been self-employed for more than a year.
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He moved back to the UK in April 2016 after marrying Anong in Pattaya. He speaks to his wife and daughter on Skype, and visited them three months ago.
Patrick says that the ruling imposed by Theresa May is “cruel” and is keeping families apart.
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Patrick started acting when he was 15, and had roles in TV shows including The Bill, The Upper Hand and Hale and Pace. He was spotted by Only Fools producer Ray Butt after appearing in a commercial.
In 2003, he admitted that he was an alcoholic – he says his drink habit grew worse after he began running a pub in 1998. Patrick credits Alcoholics Anonymous with saving his life.
Patrick has also worked as a DJ, a hospital receptionist, a professional poker player, a builder and an antiques dealer.
He lived in Thailand for a number of years before moving back to the UK.