Ryan Thomas was on hand to support his former co-star and close friend as he underwent more tests after suffering mini stroke at 35. Chris Fountain, who starred alongside Ryan in Coronation Street, revealed in October that he spent five days in a London hospital after waking up at home unable to speak properly in August.
The actor, who appeared as Tommy Duckworth in ITV's Corrie from 2011 up until being axed in 2013, shared 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.
Chris, who also starred in Emmerdale and Hollyoaks, shared at the time how he broke down in tears when doctors informed him he had had a TIA. 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.
After speaking out about his health issues, Ryan, who is known for playing Jason Grimshaw in the ITV soap, 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 last year 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.
And this week, Ryan was back by Chris' side as he underwent more tests. Chris took to his Instagram Story to offer fans an update on his health as he headed to the Royal London Hospital on Thursday (December 22). The former soap star said it was 'weird' to be going to that specific hospital as it is where he ended up when he had the stroke earlier this year.
"It's the first time I've been back since it happened so that's going to be weird," Chris said before explaining: "I'm going for another echocardiogram today which, this one, is going to be a little bit more intrusive than the others because they basically want to scan the back of my heart so they're going to put a camera down my throat."
He said he'd keep fans posted and sticking to his word, he returned to his Instagram Story while walking out through a train station. "It wasn't the nicest experience," Chris admitted. "They did a couple of echocardiograms first and basically sprayed my throat with an anesthetic so I couldn't feel my throat and gave be some sedation, made me bite down on this thing then put this massive long thing down my throat."
Chris said that he was "fine" at first but ended up coughing and gagging when he realized he was unable to swallow and so that specific test was cut short. "But fingers crossed they've got what they need." Chris then panned the camera to show Ryan who was quietly walking alongside him.
"That was not a good experience but got the boy here for some morale support," he said sharing how he was heading back up north for Christmas. He then re-shared Ryan's post after the Jason Grimshaw actor posted a selfie of the pair to his Instagram Story, writing: "Proud of this man always moving forward with a smile on his face."
Chris replied: "Thanks for coming with me brother, love you." It comes after Chris said 'here's to recovery' last month. The actor posted a black and white selfie of himself to his Instagram grid and wrote: " On the right track... Few things going on at the moment that a year ago probably would have taken me out of my groove.
"But now, they haven’t. I only take the positives. I feel good, I feel healthy and I feel immensely proud of how far I’ve come. Here’s to recovery."
READ NEXT:
- Molly-Mae Hague says she had to 'plead' with her family over Christmas as she's defended by fans over baby's wardrobe
- Princess Andre sparks same response as she shows off new look
- BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Helen Skelton dubbed a 'gem' as she shares defiant message about 'good people'
- Gorka Marquez enjoys sweet 'first' with daughter after BBC Strictly heartbreak as he says he 'doesn't know who enjoyed it more'
- ITV Loose Women's Frankie Bridge says 'everything's fine' after suffering 'awkward' doctor's appointment
