Sir David Suchet, best known for portraying Hercule Poirot, has spoken publicly about his 11-year-old grandson’s battle with a rare and incurable genetic condition. The 79-year-old actor revealed in an interview that his grandson has Tuberous Sclerosis, a disorder that causes benign tumours to develop in various parts of the body.
According to the NHS, Tuberous Sclerosis is present from birth and can lead to a range of health issues, including epilepsy, learning disabilities, and hydrocephalus. Suchet described the diagnosis as a shock, noting that his grandson is non-verbal and walks with a distinctive gait. “He is a beautiful child,” he said.
The actor, who was knighted in 2020 for his services to drama and charity, said he is now campaigning to raise awareness of the condition. “I learned it was incurable, it was hard to take in,” he told the Daily Mail. “Not many people have heard of it. So I'm now campaigning to raise awareness.”
Suchet and his wife, actress Sheila Ferris, rent a property in Wiltshire near their son’s family to provide support. “You can't cure or halt what my grandson endures, you just have to get on with it,” he added.
Reflecting on his career, Suchet said his role as Poirot remains his proudest achievement for the public, but his knighthood was the proudest moment of his life. “No camera is going to say ‘Cut, let’s do a retake’,” he remarked.
