Lime-sized tumour grown over 15 years ‘deformed’ Hollyoaks actor’s skull

Actor Craig Russell (left) with wife Kate (right) first noticed he was experiencing memory loss, migraines and brain fog in September 2022 before his partner encouraged him to seek a GP appointment - (Collect/PA Real Life)

An actor who endured a decade-long battle with an undetected brain tumour, which grew to the size of a lime and deformed his skull, has spoken of his relief at surviving the ordeal to complete his latest film.

Craig Russell, 48, known for roles in TV shows such as Hollyoaks and Netflix’s Queen Cleopatra, faced a life-threatening operation to remove the mass.