Former Hollyoaks star Lysette Anthony has admitted she “felt like [she] was going to die” amid battling Parkinson’s Disease.
The star landed the role of Marnie Nightingale in the Channel 4 soap after first appearing as Yvonne Summers back in 2008.
Her character was officially killed off earlier this year, after being trapped in the salon explosion. Although she was rescued, she later passed away peacefully from her injuries – ending Lysette’s Hollyoaks stint.
The star was diagnosed aged just 52 – and opened up about her battle for the first time while speaking to OK! Magazine, admitting her symptoms have gotten worse over the past six years.
However, a period in December left her health declining so much she feared she was dying – and now she is glad to be back on her feet after that period.
(Image: Getty Images)
She explained to the publication: “At Christmas it was so bad. One of the symptoms you can get is muscle freezing. You cannot move but then you just get this rush of smoke sound inside your ears and then you fall and knock yourself down.
“I thought that was it. I couldn’t get off the couch. I was so frightened in every sense.”
She explained: “I remember thinking […] ‘This is it. If I don’t keep breathing, I’ll be dead’.”
(Image: PA)
Lysette also added that if she does too much, her body will shut down and her hands stop working – and on one occasion had to crawl to the toilet, which took 45 minutes.
The star has admitted that while she isn’t “exactly thrilled” about her diagnosis, she has “made peace” with it in many ways, and managing the pain with a combination of medication which includes beta blockers and dopamine.
(Image: PA)
And the star has proceeded to power through the past six years, taking on acting roles including her Hollyoaks job – after hearing news from doctors that she had Parkinson’s.
And the star is dedicated to being “part of the cure” along with other stars including Billy Connolly and Michael J. Fox, who also have the disease.
She also wants to make a documentary about her experience, explaining how much of a “relief” it has been not to have to conceal the condition any longer, after “hardly anyone” knew while she was working on Hollyoaks.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
