Matt King has revealed he was left temporarily paralysed after suffering a rare stroke of the spinal cord.
The actor, best known for playing Super Hans in Peep Show, shared the news on social media, explaining the frightening incident happened earlier this week.
‘It’s true. I had a rare stroke of the spinal cord on Sunday,’ he wrote.
‘I was initially paralysed but was rushed to The Royal Sussex and the staff have been amazing.’
King added that he has since regained some movement, although recovery is ongoing.
‘Can walk again, a bit. My legs were jelly, man. It didn’t feel f***ing brilliant. Thank you for all the love and kindness.’
The 58-year-old is also a DJ and comedian, having starred in his own sketch shows on stages across the UK and often playing DJ sets, sometimes in character as Super Hans.
Appearing alongside David Mitchell and Robert Webb, his Peep Show character became a fan favourite for his off-the-wall one-liners and anarchic energy, often stealing scenes as the dysfunctional friend of Jeremy Usbourne.
Also featuring Olivia Colman as Sophie Chapman, Isy Suttie as Dobby, and Sophie Winkleman as Big Suze, the Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain co-created show ran for 12 years before wrapping up in 2015.
What is a spinal cord stroke?
According to Cleveland Clinic: ‘A spinal stroke is a type of stroke that stops blood flow in your spinal cord. Healthcare providers also call them spinal cord strokes, spinal infarctions or spinal infarcts.
‘Most strokes happen when a blood vessel in your brain is blocked by a blood clot or breaks (ruptures) and bleeds. The same issues cause spinal strokes, but the blockage or bleeding (hemorrhage) happens in your spinal cord.
‘Spinal strokes are very rare (less than 1% of all strokes). But they can still be fatal or cause permanent disabilities.’
Beyond Peep Show, King has built a varied career across television, appearing in the series Look Around You, and in the third series of Skins, playing Cook’s father.
Last year, King told The Sun TVBiz column about his hopes for a Peep Show one-off reunion: ‘When it ended in 2015, [writers] Sam and Jesse said to us: “We’ll see you in ten years. We’re going to write a one-off.”
‘I did ask them six months ago. They said: “We still would be interested, but we’re just so busy, we can’t do a ten-year one.” I feel like it will happen.’
Fans have flooded King’s post with messages of support following the update, as he continues his recovery after the medical emergency.
One wrote, ‘Get right soon mate, sounds nasty, get a bit of peep show on whilst your recuperating !! guaranteed to cheer you up !!’ while another added, ‘All the best and take it easy legend.’
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