'how sad'
GMB viewers heartbroken as The Bill actor Chris Ellison struggles to speak during interview about aphasia health battle
GOOD Morning Britain viewers were left heartbroken this morning as stricken The Bill star Chris Ellison struggled to speak on the show.
The actor, best known for playing DCI Frank Burnside, is suffering from aphasia - the same speech debilitating illness as Hollywood action movie Bruce Willis.
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In his first TV appearance since revealing his aphasia battle, the 75-year-old attempted to reply to questions, which he is still fully able to understand.
Aphasia is when parts of the brain to do with language are damaged and it can sometimes strike after a stroke or head injury.
GMB host Richard asked him if he felt better now people knew about his struggle.
He struggled to reply, leaving his wife Anita to step in and help him.
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Those watching at home were incredibly moved by the interview and took to Twitter to discuss it.
One person wrote: “Really sad to see Chris like this 🤗#GMB.”
A second remarked: “Heartbreaking to see chris like this,brilliant actor loved him in The Bill #GMB.”
While a third tweeted: “Oh this must be heartbreaking for him #GMB.”
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A fourth added: “How sad to see Chris like this, such a great tbh star #GMB.”
Chris was diagnosed with aphasia after a severe stroke in the summer of 2020.
Loyal wife of 42 years Anita found him on their bedroom floor at their Brighton home and “realised straight away he’d suffered a stroke”.
Ambulance crew could not move his body down their narrow spiral stair so took him through a roof skylight before he was airlifted to hospital.
But medics were unable to remove the blood clot safely and told Anita to “prepare for the worst”.
He survived and in two weeks was moved to a rehab centre in nearby Haywards Heath where he relearned to walk and feed himself.
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But it has since been a long road to recovery.
It was at rehab where Chris was diagnosed with aphasia, after a visit from the Say Aphasia charity.
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