The Super Hans actor said his legs went like ‘jelly’ due to the stroke
Peep Show actor Matt King has revealed he suffered a stroke that left him temporarily paralysed. The 58-year-old was rushed to hospital following the medical emergency and has since shared an update from his hospital bed.
The actor, widely recognised for his portrayal of Super Hans in the beloved sitcom, posted a selfie with a teddy bear resting on his shoulder. In the caption, he wrote: “It’s true. I had a rare stroke of the spinal cord on Sunday. I was initially paralysed but was rushed to The Royal Sussex and the staff have been amazing. Can walk again, a bit. My legs were jelly, man. It didnt feel f*****g brilliant. Thank you for all the love and kindness.”
Supporters were swift to flood the post with heartfelt messages. One follower commented: “Oh mate, sorry to hear this. Hope you recover well. The secret ingredient is rest.” Another wrote: “The fact you had a stroke and still had the humour to joke about your legs being jelly says everything. You’re an inspiration Matt. Get well soon.” While a third added: “The secret ingredient is recovery!, get well soon mate!”
His Peep Show co-star, actress Vera Graziadei, had already set alarm bells ringing among fans the previous day when she shared a photograph of Matt from the show, writing: “Peeples, let’s send some prayers and love to our dear friend and bloody brilliant actor and human – Matt @thatmattkingfella who needs it now. Health issue so send your love and support to him!”
He responded to her, writing: “Thank you to my beautiful and amazing friend @vera.graziadei for her kindness and words. I’m doing okay. They will rebuild me, at a cost of exactly six million dollars. I should get some sort of nickname out of that. Thanks for all the love. MK”
Matt portrayed the beloved character Super Hans for 12 years in the critically acclaimed sitcom Peep Show. The show, which followed the lives of flatmates Mark Corrigan (David Mitchell) and Jez Usbourne (Robert Webb), ran for nine series between 2003 and 2015, reports the Mirror.
Following the show’s end, he continued to play the character during DJ sets.
Super Hans was Jez’s drug-addled, fantasist companion throughout the series. The character was notorious for his fondness for crack cocaine, and while Matt ultimately landed the role, Russell Brand also threw his hat in the ring during auditions.
Matt previously told the Guardian: “No, never touched the stuff. I mean I’ve been a bit hedonistic in the past I suppose but never in the same ballpark as Super Hans. [Super Hans] is not a million miles away from the bad side of me. I get to act out the times I want to be amoral and not give a sh*t about another human being.”
He added: “We’ve all got a bit of that in us, Super Hans just takes it to the farthest possible degree. He has no moral compass. In fact, he’s thrown his moral compass away and taken a sh*t on it.”
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