Good Morning Britain viewers were left saddened as they heard about Chris Ellison's battle with aphasia - a condition which recently saw Bruce Willis quit acting after he received a diagnosis.
The Bill actor, best known for playing DCI Frank Burnside on the hit show, appeared on the programme alongside his wife Anita as they appeared live via video link from their home to speak to Richard Madeley and Kate Garraway.
It was also Chris' first TV appearance since revealing his own aphasia battle - a language disorder caused by damage in a specific area of the brain that controls language expression and comprehension, leaving a person unable to communicate effectively with others.
He diagnosed with the condition after a severe stroke in the summer of 2020. Anita, Chris' wife of 42 years found him on their bedroom floor at their Brighton home but an ambulance crew struggled to move him down their narrow spiral staircase so took him through a roof skylight before he was airlifted to hospital.
While medics were unable to remove the blood clot safely, Chris survived and was moved to a rehab centre within just a couple of weeks where he had to learn to walk and feed himself again. It is in the rehab centre that he was diagnosed with aphasia.
GMB host Richard asked the 75-year-old if he felt better now that people knew about his struggle. He said: "Chris, I know you're happy to try and answer some questions with quite simple yes or no answers..." to which Chris replied: "Yes."
"Good. Let's give that a go," Richard said before asking if he felt 'better about himself'. Chris began to answer, telling the hosts: "Well, I don't know." Anita then stepped in as her husband struggled to continue with what he wanted to say.
She asked her husband if she could answer for him to which he agreed. Anita said she had seen a "great change" in Chris. "At first he didn't want to go on TV, he didn't want anybody to know," she explained. She said that people still remember Chris when they go out and tried to tell her husband that now 'hopefully they'll understand' what is going on what they see him.
Good Morning Britain viewers were soon taking to social media to share their love and support for Chris and Anita as well as share there heartbreak at the actor's struggles.
@millieparks1 tweeted: "Heartbreaking to see chris like this,brilliant actor loved him in The Bill #GMB."
"So very sad to see Chris like this, a brilliant actor. So brave to speak out and hopefully help others. #GMB," @dinglyd shared.
@ZoeSomebody commented: "#gmb well done for highlighting aphasia Chris and lovely wife. Amazing couple, wish them well. Get out there and enjoy life."
"What a dreadful condition this Aphasia is. Well done to the brilliant Chris Ellison for doing this TV interview and highlighting the condition #GMB @GMB," @magsloveslife2 wrote.
@Rachel_Doyle72 added: "Just watching Chris Ellison on Good Morning Britain regarding his battle with Aphasia after suffering a stroke in 2020. How terribly sad for Chris. Such a fine actor. Bless him and his wife Anita @ellison456 @GMB #GMB #ChrisEllison."
