Legendary stuntman Eddie Kidd – paralysed for the past 24 years - has hit out at the “horrific” news that his full-time carers are to be replaced.
Kidd, who shot to fame in the 1990s when performing stunts in a series of films including James Bond movies, ended up critically injured after an accident.
Now a Tory-run council wants to change how they handle his care arrangements.
Eddie’s local MP has stepped into the condemn the decision.
And distraught Eddie has taken to social media to try and get it reversed.
Eddie, 61, said: “This week I have had the most horrific news that East Sussex Social Services want to remove my carers, Glen who has been with me 10 years, and Mike who has been with me seven years.
“They would like to replace them with strangers and agency workers who will stay with me seven days and seven nights which is physically impossible as I need a lot of assistance on all my needs.
“After all I have been through in the last few years I am at last happy, loved and cared for with the support of my family, my friends and my partner.
“For the last three years I have gained strength, peace and happiness that these people now want to rip away from me.
“This isn’t just about me but others like me who do not have the social platform I have full of support. I want to do this for the unheard and those who have no choice.”
Eddie suffered a serious brain injury after a motorbike stunt crash in 1996.
Before that he was a stunt double for a string of top actors including Harrison Ford, Pierce Brosnan, Timothy Dalton, Roger Moore and Michael Caine.
Brighton Kemptown Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle said: “I’ve been working with Eddie and his family to try and prevent any unnecessary changes to his care arrangements.
“It is unacceptable and irresponsible to undermine this man’s independence for the sake of cutting costs.
“After 10 years of cuts East Sussex County Council is close to insolvency but instead of the Conservative controlled laying the blame at their colleagues in Westminster they are attacking the quality of life of the most vulnerable in our communities.”
An East Sussex County Council spokesman said: “We do not comment on individual clients, but do encourage them to work with us to ensure that they have their eligible needs met in a way that is both affordable and in line with their wishes.”
