Gogglebox star reveals horrifying health diagnosis after losing vision while driving – and failing to recognise her pal

The Sun

01-05-2025

GOGGLEBOX star Elaine Cooper has been given a devastating health diagnosis after losing her sight while behind the wheel.
Elaine, who previously appeared on Gogglebox with her son Seb, had been driving her car when she briefly went blind.
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The retired music teacher had also found herself suffering with severe forgetfulness, which led to her failing to recognise a friend while out in a cafe.
Elaine, 56, even had to be helped at a petrol station after realising she could not remember how to fill up her vehicle.
Doctors have since discovered her frightening symptoms were the result of an irreversible bleed on her brain that had been there for 10 weeks.
Tragically, there is no cure and Elaine now has to use a wheelchair most of the time.
She has developed double vision and paralysis on the left side of her body - and has been forced to give up both driving and her job.
Elaine, who lives in The Forest Of Dean in Gloucs, says she rarely leaves the house since her diagnosis last year and can often feel "isolated".
Speaking about the moment she was told the news, Elaine said to NeedToKnow: "I was completely shocked and heartbroken.
'They told me part of my brain had been irreversibly damaged. And as there wasn't anything they could do, this was just who I was now.
'At first, it was difficult and I didn't feel like myself.
'But I knew I had to keep going and try to make the best of a bad situation.'
Gogglebox fans convinced show favourites have been replaced after WEEKS off air from the hit Channel 4 show
Elaine had put her forgetfulness down to tiredness and getting older.
But after losing her vision while out driving, she knew something more sinister was going on.
Elaine's sight quickly returned but she says it was "blurry". She also had a "pounding headache" after managing to get herself home.
Doctors confirmed Elaine had suffered a stroke in April last year, following a CT scan and an MRI.
Elaine and Seb bowed out of Gogglebox at the same time. The mum and son duo had only been on the Channel 4 show for several months, having joined in late 2023.
Recalling one frightening moment she forgot who her pal was, Elaine said: 'I had arranged to meet some friends for lunch.
'As one of my pals walked into the café, I stared at her. I couldn't think where I knew her from. Then it dawned on me, I had forgotten who she was.
'I had forgotten how to fill up the car a few days before that. A man had to come over and help.
'I looked so stupid when he easily lifted off the cap.
'It was terrifying not remembering how to do the simplest of tasks – I truly thought I was losing my mind.'
What are the symptoms of stroke?
The FAST method – which stands for Face, Arms, Speech, Time – is the easiest way to remember the most common symptoms of stroke:
F = Face drooping - if one side of a person's face is dropped or numb then ask them to smile, if it's uneven then you should seek help.
A = Arm weakness - if one arm is weak or numb then you should ask the person to raise both arms. If one arm drifts downwards then you might need to get help
S = Speech difficulty - if a person's speech is slurred then this could be a sign of a stroke
T = Time to call 999 - if a person has the signs above then you need to call 999 in the UK or 911 in the US for emergency care.
Other symptoms include:
sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body
difficulty finding words
sudden blurred vision or loss of sight
sudden confusion, dizziness or unsteadiness
a sudden and severe headache
difficulty understanding what others are saying
difficulty swallowing
Sadly, Elaine's physical symptoms have worsened since her diagnosis last year.
'I suffer from extreme fatigue that makes me just so tired. I've also developed double vision and paralysis on my left side," she explained.
'It's had such a huge impact on my life.
'I've had to accept that I must use a wheelchair for anything other than moving very short distances.
'But over time, I've learned coping strategies to help with my problems."
'Staying positive'
Looking forward, Elaine is attempting to remain positive and has managed to attend several music gigs.
She also visits a rehabilitation day centre every week, which she describes as a "turning point".
'If I hadn't been offered a place there, I genuinely don't know what my wellbeing would be like today," Elaine admitted.
'I live in a rural area, which made me isolated, and the whole aspect of that was very [daunting].
'I hate relying on people for the simplest of things, but acceptance is the biggest barrier.
'It's still scary, but slowly and surely, I'm getting back to some version of the old me.'
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