Chris Fountain says he couldn’t ‘read aloud’ after mini-stroke
Former Coronation Street star Chris Fountain has revealed that being fired from the ITV soap in 2013 caused a “real downward spiral” in his life.
The 35-year-old was sacked from his role as Tommy Duckworth after filming a controversial music video, which led to his mental health struggles.
Chris had built up an impressive career on the small screen as an actor in Coronation Street, Hollyoaks, and even taking part in the third series of Dancing on Ice.
But his professional career come crashing down back 2013 when footage emerged of him performing in a video which went viral.
In a music video, with Chris going under stage name ‘The Phantom,’ he was seen to be wearing a mask that covered his face. The music included misogynistic lyrics and references to rape.
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After the uproar over the music video, an ITV spokesman said at the time: “Chris Fountain’s contract with ITV has been terminated as a result of the unacceptable comments he made in a number of online clips.”
Chris issued a heartfelt apology immediately after the video surfaced but, ultimately, his career was ruined.
Speaking on Scott Thomas’s Learning As I Go podcast, Chris revealed that his mental health took a significant tumble immediately after his sacking.
He said: “That singular week in August 2013 just blew my entire life apart.
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“All the foundations of what I’d built as a career just completely came crashing down.
“And it was the start of a real downward spiral in terms of my mental health, my confidence.”
Back in 2013, Fountain said in a lengthy apology: “My biggest regret however is not to do with losing my job, but that I have hurt and let down so many people including those in a vulnerable situation and I am so very deeply ashamed of this.
“The lyrics that appeared online were influenced by a style of hiphop that I was experimenting with at a private freestyle session and blurted out in a moment of madness.
“There is absolutely no excuse – I take complete responsibility for my actions – but they were in no way thought out or represent at all my attitude towards women, rape and violence.”
More recently, Chris’s resilience has been tested by a horrifying health scare.
The actor recently suffered a stroke that left him temporarily unable to speak and also requiring surgery to mend a hole in his heart.
At the time, Chris posted on Instagram and said he feared “life as he knew it” was over when doctors discovered a Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) after a blood clot got lodged in his brain.
Chris suffered the mini stroke in August of last year and spent five days recovering in a London hospital.
Following his health scare Chris has since dedicated himself to raising awareness of the condition and trained for the London Marathon to raise money for the Stroke Association.
If you or someone you know has been affected by this story, Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. Alternatively, you can find more information on the Samaritans website: https://www.samaritans.org/
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