A former Weatherfield favourite has sparked an emotional response from fans after opening up about a frightening health scare. The Coronation Street actor shared a hospital photo and a heartfelt message about surviving a stroke, and supporters quickly surrounded him with encouragement as his story came to light.
Coronation Street Star Chris Fountain Reveals Stroke And Shares Hospital Photo
Chris Fountain spoke openly in a recent social media post about suffering a stroke, pairing his words with photos from the time, including a hospital image of himself lying in bed. The candid update immediately struck a chord with fans who had followed his career on screen.
Chris explained that the stroke happened in August 2022, when he woke up at home and suddenly struggled to speak. Doctors admitted him to a London hospital, where he stayed for five days.
Medics diagnosed him with a Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA), which occurs when a blood clot temporarily blocks blood flow to the brain. He admitted the diagnosis left him terrified, and he genuinely feared that life as he knew it might be over. He also thanked his family and friends for helping him through what he described as an incredibly difficult and surreal period.
Chris Fountain’s Health Battle And Life After Coronation Street
Long-time viewers remember Chris as Tommy Duckworth, the grandson of Jack Duckworth, a role made iconic by Bill Tarmey. Chris joined the ITV soap in 2011 and quickly became part of major storylines.
His character navigated tense moments involving his manipulative father Terry Duckworth, played by Nigel Pivaro, and a memorable romance with Tina McIntyre, portrayed by Michelle Keegan. These plots kept him firmly in viewers’ minds.
His time on the soap ended in 2013 after the show axed him when offensive rap videos surfaced of him performing as his alter-ego “The Phantom.” The clips shocked fans, and Chris issued a public apology. Years later, however, his real-life health scare became a far more serious turning point. Chris later discovered that he had a hole in his heart, which doctors linked to his stroke risk. He underwent cardiac surgery in May 2023 and said he hoped the procedure would prevent future strokes, light-heartedly adding that he now had “a little bionic heart.”
By sharing his hospital photo and honest reflections, Chris not only received comfort from fans but also helped spotlight an issue that affects thousands of families every year. Stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily for more Coronation Street spoilers.