Emmerdale actor Kevin Mathurin was taken to hospital in heart failure after a blocked artery caused a minor heart attack. The 53-year-old, who has played vicar Charles Anderson for six years, said he began feeling chest pains in October 2025.
Mathurin explained that plaque and clots were blocking a vital artery, damaging part of his heart and leading to an abnormal heartbeat, heart failure and a minor heart attack. He was treated at King's Hospital in London.
A Week of Ignored Symptoms
Speaking about the lead-up to his collapse, Mathurin said he had been under significant stress, feeling anxious, angry and suppressing his emotions. He had also lost a close friend to cancer and was unable to attend the funeral due to work commitments.
He felt pains in his ribs and arms for a week but continued filming, working out and travelling to see his family. It was his partner, Nikki, who urged him to book an ECG scan. After the scan, his doctor told him to go straight to A&E.
Treatment and Recovery
While at King's Hospital, Mathurin was monitored and underwent an angiogram to assess the blockages. He did not require surgery for stents and is relying on medication, exercise and a healthy diet to manage his blood pressure, heart rate and cholesterol.
The actor said the hospital stay gave him time to reset and reevaluate his priorities, including watching his children grow up and spending quality time with Nikki and his family. He thanked the doctors and nurses at King's Hospital and the cardiac physiotherapists at Lewisham Hospital, adding: "THANK YOU NHS."
