Only Fools and Horses star Patrick Murray is desperately fighting to be reunited with his Thai wife and their daughter after they were banned from the UK in a visa row.

The actor, 61, who played Rodney Trotter's sidekick in the sitcom, is fighting for his wife Anong, 36, and their two-year-old daughter Josie to be allowed to come to the UK.

The couple married in Pattaya on Thailand's eastern coast in April last year, but he has not seen her since he last visited three months ago.

Patrick Murray (left) well known for playing Mickey Pearce in Only Fools and Horses is desperate to have his 36-year-old wife Anong (right) join him in the UK

The actor (pictured right) is working night shifts as a taxi driver in a bid to prove to the Home Office he can support his wife (centre) and daughter (left)

He said: 'It's really heartbreaking.'

Mr Murray, of Gravesend, Kent, is working nights as a taxi driver in a bid to prove to the Home Office he can support his family.

Under new rules introduced by Theresa May when she was Home Secretary, he must prove he has an annual income of at least £22,400 or £62,500 in savings – but because he is self-employed, can only do so when he has worked for a year.

Mrs May changed visa requirements for Brits bringing spouses from outside the European Economic Area in 2012 as part of the Conservative bid to reduce net migration to below 100,000 a year.

Mr Murray added: 'Theresa May changed the rules in 2012 and didn't take into account anybody who has children.

'Even Donald Trump has said he doesn't want to separate parents and their children but Theresa May is totally heartless.

'She has decided my child doesn't count.'

The 61-year-old has not seen his wife or his daughter Josie, two, (pictured) since he last visited Thailand three months ago

Mr Murray says he is a 'Skype dad' to daughter Josie (left) and being separated from her and his wife (right) is 'heartbreaking'

The minimum salary threshold is £18,600, but goes up to £22,400 when there is a non-Europe born child involved – like in the actor's case.

He added: 'As I've been out of the country for a bit and I'm self-employed, I have to work for one year and then show tax returns. Before this ruling came in, it would have been fine.

'Now I've got to be separated from my baby while she's growing up. It's cruel. I'm a Skype dad. I miss them both terribly.

'It went to the Supreme Court and they said it was cruel but not illegal. So thank you, Mrs May.'

The Home Office said: 'We continue to welcome foreign partners and children but it's important they can stand on their own feet financially.'