Coronation Street Star's Health Emergency
Former Coronation Street actress Millie Gibson has undergone emergency surgery after being rushed to A&E with severe and unexpected stomach pain. The 21-year-old, best known for playing Kelly Neelan on the iconic soap from 2019 to 2022, shared her alarming health scare with fans on social media, issuing a vital warning about body awareness.
Sudden Onset of Symptoms
Millie Gibson revealed that she experienced "abnormal stomach pain" on a Thursday afternoon with no prior warning signs. "I had no prior symptoms, it came on in the space of an hour," she explained in an Instagram Story. The pain prompted an immediate trip to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed her with appendicitis that evening and scheduled emergency surgery for the following morning.
She emphasised the urgency of the situation, stating, "If it wasn't for someone's advice pushing me to go to A&E my appendix would have ruptured." Millie described this as her first major health scare and urged her followers to "listen to your bodies" in her post, which she signed off with a heartfelt message.
Understanding Appendicitis
According to NHS guidelines, appendicitis involves swelling and infection of the appendix, a small pouch connected to the large intestine. The condition typically causes:
- Initial pain around the belly button that shifts to the lower right abdomen
- Increasing severity over several hours
- Requirement for urgent hospital treatment
With prompt surgical intervention, patients like Millie can usually return home within 1-2 days barring complications, though recovery requires careful monitoring.
Career Highlights and Recent Projects
Millie Gibson began her acting career on Coronation Street at just 14 years old. Since leaving the cobbles in 2022, she has secured significant roles including appearances in Doctor Who in 2023 and more recently as Irene Heron in the 2025 adaptation of The Forsytes.
She described landing the Forsyte Saga role at a "very needed time" following her departure from Doctor Who in 2024. "It's totally gruelling but totally worth it," Millie said of the costume drama. "I fell completely in love with it. I will forever be grateful for it."
Addressing Rumours and Moving Forward
Despite speculation that she was removed from Doctor Who for unprofessional behaviour, Millie Gibson was actually cast for the subsequent series. She chose not to publicly refute the rumours at the time to avoid spoiling upcoming storylines.
"It was quite hard to stand up for myself without ruining the show," she admitted. "What was frustrating was the amount of people that believed the rumours." The experience proved challenging as even close acquaintances questioned the circumstances of her departure.
Millie's health scare serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of prompt medical attention when unusual symptoms arise, particularly with conditions like appendicitis that can rapidly escalate without treatment.
