Former EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison, beloved for her portrayal of Heather Trott, has bravely revealed the terrifying details of a secret stroke she suffered in 2020, which left her unable to speak or move.
In an exclusive extract from her forthcoming memoir, "The Ugly Truth: How I Survived Domestic Abuse, Cancer and a Stroke", the 58-year-old actress recounts the moment she collapsed at home in Blackpool, describing the event as "the most frightening experience of my life".
A Terrifying Ordeal
"I tried to call out to my husband but no words would come out," Fergison writes. "My mouth was moving but there was just silence. I couldn't lift my arm. I was trapped inside my own body, completely terrified."
Her husband, Yassine Al-Jermoni, discovered her and immediately called for an ambulance. The swift medical response was crucial to her recovery.
A Double Blow: Her Husband's Cancer Diagnosis
In a cruel twist of fate, just two weeks after Fergison's stroke, her husband Yassine was diagnosed with bowel cancer. The couple faced an immense health crisis simultaneously, testing their strength and resolve.
"We were both fighting for our lives," she reveals. "It was an incredibly dark time for us, but we became each other's rock." Thankfully, Yassine has since been given the all-clear from cancer.
Life After EastEnders and a Message of Hope
Since leaving the iconic BBC soap in 2012 after her character was killed off, Fergison has focused on her health and family. Her memoir is a raw and honest account of surviving multiple life-altering challenges, including domestic abuse and cervical cancer prior to her stroke.
She hopes her story will serve as an inspiration to others facing adversity, proving that "it is possible to find strength you never knew you had and come out the other side."
Cheryl Fergison's powerful memoir, "The Ugly Truth", is available for pre-order now.
