James Buckley, best known for playing Jay Cartwright in The Inbetweeners, has revealed he has been diagnosed with a genetic disease that has forced him to change his lifestyle. The 38-year-old actor has had to give up alcohol and believes it may be a form of karma for previously mocking people who don't drink.
Buckley shared the news on his podcast, At Home With The Buckleys, alongside his wife Clair. He explained that his health issues are related to his Lipoprotein(a) levels, a genetically inherited type of blood cholesterol. He said: "I've also had health problems as well. It’s something to do with my Lipoprotein(a), something to do with that. There’s nothing you can do about it, by the way. And the doctor’s just been like, 'you need to change.'"
High Risk of Cardiovascular Incident
The actor continued: "I’m at a high risk now for a cardiovascular incident. My heart, my arteries. I’m not a religious man, but sometimes I feel like there is a God that sort of goes 'that’ll teach you'. I feel like I’ve been on this podcast slagging people off that don’t drink. Yeah, we have boring stuff. And now I’ve been told to try not [laughter]… rein it in."
Despite the diagnosis, Buckley remains hopeful about enjoying a drink in the future, adding: "But I’m going to have a beer soon."
Wife Clair's Health Scare
During the podcast, Clair also opened up about her own recent health battle, which saw her rushed to hospital in an ambulance. She said: "I’ve not been very well." Buckley recalled the incident, saying an ambulance came to take her away after she became severely dehydrated from a virus.
Buckley admitted feeling guilty for not being there initially, as he was away working. He described seeing his wife in a weak state, comparing her to a frail Lord Voldemort being carried. He called 999 when he saw how unwell she was, and Clair was taken to hospital where she received fluids.
Clair, now recovered, added: "So anyway, I got taken in and just got pumped full of fluids. There you go."
