Former Coronation Street and Hollyoaks star Chris Fountain has been opening up about experiencing a mini-stroke at the age of 35. The actor, who appeared as Tommy Duckworth on the soap, was speaking to Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby on This Morning about the moment he felt 'someone had pulled a rug from underneath him' and his speech had regressed so badly it was 'like a toddler's.'
Fountain, who left Coronation Street back in 2013 after he was sacked for rapping about rape under his alter-ego name, The Phantom, explained how he woke up like normal and began his day by phoning his mum. Chris told Phil and Holly: "I was aware that I was trying to say something but I couldn't remember what I was trying to say, my words weren't coming out. I couldn't quite put my finger on it but something wasn't quite right."
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Chris also explained how although he knew what household objects like a towel were, he was unable to say or formulate the word 'towel'. Once in the hospital Chris was diagnosed with suffering a mini-stroke and said it felt like "someone had pulled the rug from underneath me."
He has previously said he "couldn't believe" what the doctors were telling him and that he "broke down in tears". Chris said: “When the doctors confirmed I’d had a TIA (Transient Ischaemic Attack) and said the word stroke, I just couldn’t believe it, there was a moment of sheer panic just fearing what it meant for the rest of my life."
On This Morning Chris said he was unable to focus on what the doctors were saying after they used the word stroke, as he was so worried about his future. He also said he has regained 90% of speech after he was left "speaking like a toddler". Chris urged viewers to call 999 if they had spotted signs that they or someone else was suffering a stroke, as the faster the reaction the more likely chance of recovery.
A Transient Ischaemic Attack is caused by a temporary disruption of blood to the brain, and in Chris' case a clot was found when he went to hospital. Further tests showed the actor has a hole in his heart which caused the blood clot to travel to his brain and trigger the stroke. Chris will now have an operation to hopefully fix the hole in his heart.
Back in 2013, after the rapping incident which saw him sacked from the cobbles, Chris issued an apology and has since said plunged him into a 'dark depression', at the time he said: "I would like to sincerely apologise for any offence I have caused. "I am deeply ashamed by the lyrics and very much regret my behaviour."
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