Michael Barrymore reveals epilepsy journey diagnosed after a series of mini strokes
Veteran TV presenter Michael Barrymore has been diagnosed with epilepsy at 73 - after experiencing a mini stroke.
The host, known for his work on game shows and light entertainment programmes, told fans on TikTok about his "uncontrollable seizures" which have happened as a result of his epilepsy. Epilepsy, a tendency to have repeated seizures which start in the brain, is often diagnosed in younger years but Michael said he has developed it in his 70s.
And the star, who headlined the Royal Variety Performance in 1993, thanked fans for their support. In his emotional TikTok, Michael said: "A mini stroke caused me to develop epilepsy where I have uncontrollable seizures... I suffer from cluster seizures, which affects a quarter of people with epilepsy. It means I have more than one, usually three individual seizures in a short period of time."
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Now Michael, who grew up in Bermondsey, southeast London, must take emergency medication if he goes into a seizure. He continued: "It's scary because there's a 40% chance of going into epilepticus which causes brain damage and death without prompt medical attention.
"I've had several attacks this year and have emergency medication at home if I go into a seizure. It doesn't really affect my life otherwise, but it would be nice to talk with other sufferers on here about it."
The entertainer, an unlikely icon for Gen Z with his TikToks and vlogs, shared a series of photographs of himself in hospital. His video has been watched widely across TikTok and may users have left Michael messages of support.
Michael's stint on Celebrity Big Brother in 2006 - during which he came runner-up to model Chantelle Houghton - was his first major TV gig since his dismissal from ITV in 2003. This came following the death of Stuart Lubbock in 2001 following a party at Michael's home in Essex.
But since the controversy, Michael has become extremely popular with Gen Z, particularly through his use of TikTok. He used it last year to poke fun at himself and he reflect on his past while celebrating his birthday.
Yet the host, who also presented Kids Say the Funniest Things, has said in recent interviews the 2001 tragedy still affects him. In fact, last year, Michael left the UK for Spain to "change his life for the better". This is despite Michael never being charged in connection with 31-year-old Mr Lubbock's death, and there is no suggestion of wrongdoing on Michael's part.
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