Former Coronation Street star has been applauded by the likes of Gemma Atkinson and Adam Thomas as he shared an emotional health update months after suffering a mini stroke.
The soap star, who is known for playing Tommy Duckworth in the ITV soap as well as Justin Burton in Channel 4's Hollyoaks, suffered a mini stroke in August last year and spent five days in a London hospital after waking up at home unable to speak properly.
Opening up about his terrifying health scare in October 2022, Chris recalled how he was left "speaking like a toddler" before doctors discovered he had suffered a Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) – also known as a mini stroke – after a blood clot lodged in his brain. After several days of tests at a specialist stroke unit at the Royal London Hospital, medics determined the actor had a hole in his heart which had caused the blood clot to travel to his brain, triggering the stroke.
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Chris, 35, has since dedicated himself to raising awareness of the condition and on Sunday (April 23), completed the London Marathon to raise money for the Stroke Association. Sharing an emotional update as he crossed the finish line, he cheered: "I DID IT!!!!!!!"
He went on to share as he posed for a selfie with his medal: "From having a stroke in August to running a sub 4 hour marathon. I am beyond proud of myself. THANKYOU to everyone who cheered, donated, ran with me and everything else in between. I’m so, so happy. Will never forget this feeling."
The actor's former co-stars and celebrity pals flooded the comments to issue messages of support after the update. Brooke Vincent, who played Sophie Webster in Corrie, shared a series of heart emojis while Gemma Atkinson, who appeared in both Hollyoaks and Emmerdale, shared a string of clapping emojis.
Ex-Emmerdale star and Waterloo Road favourite Adam Thomas wrote: "Wowowowowow." While Richard Fleeshman, who played Craig Harris in Corrie, shared the raising hand emoji. Adam's older brother Ryan Thomas was also throwing his support behind Chris, posting on his own Instagram Story before and after the race.
And Chris' fans and followers continued to flood him with messages. @deeroyle said: "Well done! Such a massive achievement. Knew you could do it and for such a good cause." @emmab6534 commented: "Should be so proud of yourself. Well done." @jeweleye69 shared: "You are an absolute inspiration young man." @natalie_crookxx added: "You wonderful human being!! Amazing achievement and so inspiring."
After Chris spoke out about his health issues, Manchester actor Ryan, who is known for playing Jason Grimshaw in Corrie, took to Instagram to show Chris his support. He put up an Instagram story with a grab of a message he sent to his friend, who supported him during a charity challenge in 2021 which saw him walk 10 marathons in 10 days.
Ryan told Chris: "I love you so much bro I'll always be by your side good and the bad we're in it together." The dad-of-three then encouraged his followers, on World Mental Health Day, to #TellAMate - an online movement to show support for your friends. He also reshared Chris' video in which he spoke about his stroke scare.
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