Update on EE Jim actor

[Axlsbabe]

WHEN the wife of popular EastEnders actor John Bardon found him lying on the patio at their Hitchin home, she immediately assumed the worst.

But John - who plays lovable rogue Jim Branning in the BBC soap - was still alive. He had suffered a stroke that left him unable to speak or move the right side of his body.

The 68-year-old was rushed to Lister's A&E, before being transferred to the new stroke unit at the QEII Hospital in Welwyn Garden City.

Now, almost five months on, Mr Bardon's wife, Enda, has spoken about the ordeal for the first time.

Describing what happened on June 14, Enda said she and John had just come back from the rubbish tip after clearing out their garage.

"John had been working very hard and was really stressed out doing long hours," she said.

"He went outside to have a cigarette. I was sitting reading the paper and after half an hour or so I thought it was a bit quiet. I went outside and there he was lying on the ground.

"I thought he was dead. I shook him and he came around. His speech was kind of slurred and that's when something came to me about strokes. I raced inside, grabbed the phone and dialled 999."

Enda said that initially it was very hard for her to deal with it but she always tried to stay positive.

She said she went through a period of denial, refusing to accept the reality of the situation.

"My sister Fiona, who is a nurse, came over from Belfast," said Enda. "She was telling me about paralysis and speech problems but I wasn't taking it in. I didn't want to hear it.

"It was only after about 10 weeks after his stroke that I cried at the realisation of what had happened."

After four weeks at the stroke unit and a further eight at the Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital in Welwyn, John was ready to go home.

Since then he has made consistent progress, working with nurses, physiotherapists, a speech therapist, an occupational therapist, and his determined wife.

John has also received regular visits from EastEnders colleagues Derek Martin (Charlie Slater), June Brown (Dot Branning), Rudolph Walker (Patrick Trueman), and from Melvyn Hayes (who plays Gunner 'Gloria' Beaumont in the BBC comedy It Ain't Half Hot Mum).

"June especially has been wonderful," said Enda. "She visits him all the time and misses him terribly on set. She says it's not the same without him."

John is gradually fighting his way back to health. His speech is improving and he hopes to be walking without aid by the New Year.

And with EastEnders opting to run a stroke-related story line in connection with John's on-screen character, Jim, there is always the possibility of his return to Albert Square.

Enda said: "It's up to John if he goes back. His speech is improving, he's a lot stronger, and really happy now he's back home.

"He often gets very frustrated not being able to be understood. But they say that's good because it encourages the brain to function.

"One thing's for sure, I intend to give this wheelchair back to the hospital. It's not here to stay."

* The new stroke unit at the QEII in Welwyn Garden City was officially opened last week by EastEnders star John Bardon.

Mr Bardon, who was admitted to the facility in June this year after suffering a stroke, marked the occasion by cutting a ceremonial ribbon.

According to his wife, Enda, his speedy progress would not have been possible without the intensive rehabilitation programme organised by the Trust's stroke unit.

She said: "The stroke unit is vitally important. We are so thankful to all the team there, they were wonderful.

"But there is so little information available. People have got to be made more aware of strokes and the enormous effect they have on people's lives.

Source

[faceless]

that's great news for the old boy

[Skylace]

That is great news indeed. I am glad to hear that he is doing better and making progress. I am also glad his wife is getting the support she needs.

[Kezza]

Wonderful news -- hope he continues to make steady progress in his recovery and returns to the Square, where he is sorely missed!

[11antoniacourt]

Good news all around for both John and Edna Bardon.

[eefanincan]

He looks good, all things considered. I hope we'll get to see him back on the Square. It would be good to see someone who maybe had some deficits like he currently does - might increase stroke awareness.

[Skylace]

That's true eefan. If he can come back on the show and work not only would it be nice to have him there but what it could do for awareness and also the hopes of others would be great.

[tec]

Wonderful news about Jim. Thanks so much for posting the articles and the great photo. He looks great considering what he's been going through. One of my favorite characters on EE.

[Axlsbabe]

Dot’s the one!

Albert Square veteran Dot Branning will make soap history next February – when she becomes the first character to star in an entire episode alone. EastEnders fans will see Dot, played by 80-year-old June Brown, dictating her memoirs into an audio tape as a gift for her beloved husband Jim, who’s due to return from hospital following a stroke. Sadly for poor Dot, Jim never makes it home. Gulp.

"It's extremely poignant,” an Albert Square mole revealed. “As Dot waits for Jim, Dot decides to record a message for him. But as the hours stretch on, it becomes clear he's gone to a nursing home. She's devastated; she was so looking forward to having him back."

Actor John Bardon, who plays Jim, is currently recovering from a stroke in real life and TV bosses want to leave the door open for his possible return next year. The tear-jerking special episode has been penned by the legendary Tony Jordan, EastEnders’ former lead series writer.

Sources: The Sun, Daily Mirror

[faceless]

a whole episode? Christ on a poignantly rickety old bike!

[Lostinthestates]

Doesn't sound all that exciting , I have to say!

[faceless]

I think I'm going to write in and complain -

Dear BBC,

I'd like to complain about the complete lack of violence and excitement that won't be in the whole half-hour that you are planning to dedicate to Dot Cotton.

[Lostinthestates]

[Kezza]

Oh, if only they would add a bit to the ending of that episode ---- say, Nick Cotton turns up at the end with an "'Ello, Ma!" Now that would be worth watching!

[Aja]