Rowans Hospice welcomes new Patron

Following unanimous agreement by Members at the recent Rowans Hospice Annual General Meeting, Marcus Patrick has officially become a Patron of Rowans Hospice.

Marcus has already supported several events this year including the official opening of Rowans Living Well Centre in May, the Moonlit Memories Walk in June and he also abseiled down the Emirates Spinnaker Tower in aid of Rowans Hospice in July. Marcus originally expressed an interest in becoming a patron of the charity after he visited Day Care with the Kings Theatre panto cast last Christmas, however, this had to be formally agreed at the AGM in September.

Ruth White, Chief Executive of Rowans Hospice, welcomed the decision. She said: “I am delighted that Marcus has agreed to become a Patron of Rowans Hospice. He was brought up locally and he has an affinity with the work of the Hospice. When he visited Day Care he was very at ease, spending time chatting with the patients and nurses, we know he will be a great asset to the organisation.”

Marcus Patrick first appeared on UK television screens in 2000 when he was cast as Ben Davies in the channel 4 serial drama ‘Hollyoaks’. Over the next 5 years, Ben Davies became one of the shows best known and most popular characters, featuring in many major story lines.
In 2005 Marcus appeared in the ‘Hollyoaks’ spin-off show ‘Hollyoaks: let loose’ and in 2006 a further spin-off show ‘Hollyoaks: In The City’. The post-watershed Channel 4 time slot allowed for much stronger storylines, an opportunity Marcus was keen to embrace. 
After leaving ‘Hollyoaks’, Marcus went on to appear in the BBC1 lunchtime drama ‘Doctors’, and soon after in 2008 he landed a major role in ITV1 drama series ‘Echo Beach’ and its spin-off show ‘Moving Wallpaper’. 
In 2010 Marcus appeared on the ITV1 prime time show 71 Degrees North where 10 celebrities battled against the elements. They competed in extreme tasks, tackling some of the most gruelling weather conditions imaginable in an attempt to become King/Queen of the Tundra.  After 4 weeks of survival, Marcus Patrick triumphed as the winner of ’71 Degrees North’. 
As well as appearing in ITV1 Drama ‘Crime Stories’, Marcus has recently been keen to embrace several theatre opportunities. He completed a UK theatre tour of the hit comedy ‘Wildboyz’ in 2013.Then soon after, Marcus landed the lead role of Billy Fisher in London’s Ashcroft Theatre production of the poignant and hugely entertaining ‘Billy Liar’, a role that Marcus describes as his ‘most fulfilling to date’. This led to him being cast as Alistair in Ray Cooney OBE’s raucous comedy ‘Move Over Mrs Markham’.
This year Marcus has appeared as Prime Minister Jim Hacker in the theatre production of ‘Yes, Prime Minister’ and also as Mr Craven in ‘The Secret Garden’.