Overview
- Speaking at the Rose D’Or Awards, the Peep Show actor said he very nearly died but now has a full recovery and normal life expectancy.
- Doctors discovered a congenital heart defect that led to open‑heart surgery about a year before he joined Strictly Come Dancing.
- He withdrew from the 2021 series after four live shows on his cardiologist’s advice when symptoms returned during training.
- Reflecting on the decision, he says his body was not ready then and that attempting the show again would be unwise.
- He credits the scare with helping him quit drinking and smoking, and he has resumed TV work with David Mitchell on a new BBC sketch series.