"Eastenders" actor suffers stroke

[carmelina]

EASTENDER JOHN COLLAPSES WITH MASSIVE STROKE
EXCLUSIVE Horror on day out with pals



EASTENDERS star John Bardon was in hospital after suffering a massive stroke.

The veteran actor who plays Jim Branning in the BBC1 soap collapsed at home on Thursday.

The 67-year-old was rushed to the Lister Hospital in Stevenage, Herts, where he was believed to be in a stable condition last night.

A source said: "John was enjoying a lovely day with some friends.

"He started feeling ill and then just collapsed. It all happened really quickly. An ambulance was called and he was rushed to hospital.

"Everyone is frantic with worry and is just praying he will be OK." Wife Enda, 57, was last night at his bedside.

There was confusion among his EastEnders co-stars on set on Friday when he failed to arrive for work.

Anxious June Brown, 80, who plays his on-screen wife Dot, said: "We thought there must be something wrong when he didn't turn up.

"We were all very worried as none of us knew what happened to him."

And last night, scriptwriters and producers were already making plans to re-jig scenes and change storylines knowing it could be months before John can return to work.

John has been on EastEnders for 11 years and is one of Albert Square's best-loved actors.

His character Jim won the hearts of the nation when he wed Dot five years ago.

An BBC spokesman said: "John was taken ill at home on Thursday afternoon.

"Our thoughts are with him and his family and we ask for his privacy to be respected." John wed Enda, in 2002 when he was 63 and says he couldn't believe he had found love so late in life.

Back in 2004 he said: "I still can't believe my luck, to find love like this at my time of life.

"I haven't stopped laughing since I met her. She's from Belfast and is wonderful. She says funny things all the time."

He added: "I'd never been married before. I'd been under starter's orders a few times but I'd basically got away with it for 40 years. The truth is I'd never met anyone before Enda who didn't drive me mad. Before Enda the chemistry was never right."

But he admitted he sometimes struggles to keep up with Enda in the bedroom. "When you get to my age, sex is like a nice cuppa tea - it takes a lot of straining."

John started acting with an amateur group performing in pubs, turned pro at 30, and first appeared on telly in 1972. He won an award for his performance in the stage musical Kiss Me Kate.

Before EastEnders John was best known for playing comic Max Miller in a one man West End show.

The actor has also had parts in many classic sitcoms and film credits including East Is East, Clockwise, Fierce Creatures and One Of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing.

Last night EastEnders executive producer Dierdrick Santer said: "I am saddened to hear John has taken ill. My thoughts are with him and his family."

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really awful, hope he gets well soon

[Lostinthestates]

Couldn't imagine EE without him! I hope he gets well soon!

[Skylace]

My thoughts are with him and his. I hope he gets better soon. I just love him.

[faceless]

I saw him in an episode of the sitcom 'Hippies' (with Simon Pegg) - he was playing a security guard at a sandpaper exhibition. Here's hoping he's not badly affected.

[eefanincan]

Such horrible news. Here's hoping he'll recover fairly quickly.... I'd miss him in on the show.... he gives us such a good chuckle from time to time

[pirtybirdy]

Anyone have any new news on how John is doing? I really like his character on Eastenders. I hope he recovers without any severe damage.

[11antoniacourt]

Monday, 18th June 2007, 11:46

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LIFE STYLE EXTRA (UK) - 'EastEnders' star John Bardon has suffered a massive stroke and may never act again.

The 67-year-old - who plays favourite Jim Branning in the BBC soap - was struck by the illness on Thursday (14.06.07), and may never recover enough to return to work.

'EastEnders' producers and scriptwriters have had to work quickly re-jigging scenes following the shock news.

John's wife, Enda, was at his hospital bedside in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, yesterday (17.06.07), where he will undergo a series of tests in the next few days to determine the severity of his condition.

A source told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "There are worries John will never be able to work again. He faces months of treatment. Doctors have warned that stroke patients have to work very hard to return to full health.

We won't know anything until the tests come back - and that won't be for days."

June Brown, who plays Jim's wife Dot, was said to be "devastated" by the news.

June and their fellow cast members only learnt of John's illness after he failed to turn up for work.

As loveable Jim and Dot, June and John have won two British Soap Awards for Best Soap Couple.

An 'EastEnders' spokesperson said last night: "Our thoughts are with John and his family."

[pirtybirdy]

Thanks for the update antonia :-) What terrible news. :-(

[Kezza]

Such sad news -- here's hopes for a speedy and full recovery. Albert Square wouldn't be the same without him.

[Twirley]

He really is quite a loveable character, so I hope he stuns the docs and fights his way back to health soon.

Besides, we need to know what the big thing is between him & Max. I don't believe it's what Max told Tanya!

[Lostinthestates]

He really is quite a loveable character, so I hope he stuns the docs and fights his way back to health soon.

Besides, we need to know what the big thing is between him & Max. I don't believe it's what Max told Tanya!

Fully with you on this one

[Skylace]

He really is quite a loveable character, so I hope he stuns the docs and fights his way back to health soon.

Besides, we need to know what the big thing is between him & Max. I don't believe it's what Max told Tanya!

Fully with you on this one

Same here on all points!