Ruth Codd, the celebrated star of The Celebrity Traitors, made a triumphant and stylish return to the public eye on Friday night. The 29-year-old actress attended a gala performance of the hit musical Hadestown in London, marking her first public appearance since undergoing a second below-the-knee amputation at the end of last year.
A Bold and Fashionable Entrance
Ruth looked absolutely incredible as she stepped out for the evening, showcasing her signature quirky style. She wore a striking green feathery cocktail dress that commanded attention, paired with practical yet fashionable black tights and maroon Dr. Marten boots. A chunky necklace completed her ensemble, adding a touch of edgy elegance to her look.
Star-Studded Company
The event was filled with notable personalities from the entertainment world. Ruth was joined by an array of stars including Strictly Come Dancing professionals Carlos Gu, Janette Manrara, and Nikita Kuzmin, who arrived in leather attire. Janette opted for a casual yet chic outfit, wearing a black leather jacket with grey jeans, while Vanessa Feltz made an entrance in a beautiful purple floral gown paired with black pointed boots.
Also in attendance was Vanessa Bauer, who looked stunning in a red slip dress featuring a square neckline and delicate spaghetti straps. Fellow Traitors star Stephen Libby added a splash of colour with his red, yellow, and black jacket, accompanying Daniel Quirke to enjoy the sensational performance.
Ruth's Journey and Resilience
Ruth's appearance holds significant personal meaning. The Irish actress had her first leg amputated at age 23, following a football injury sustained eight years earlier that never healed properly. In November, she confirmed her second below-the-knee amputation, becoming wheelchair-bound during her recovery at her parents' home.
At the time, Ruth shared a defiant message on Instagram with a one-finger gesture, revealing her immediate plans to regain mobility with a new prosthetic leg. She posted a selfie with the caption: 'After a brief hiatus, world domination and winding up middle-aged white men shall resume as of 10am. New legs loading.'
Rising Fame and Personal Challenges
Ruth earned a new legion of fans after appearing on the first British series of The Celebrity Traitors in October. She was the second contestant to be murdered by presenter Jonathan Ross, singer Cat Burns, and the show's eventual winner, comedian Alan Carr. Just weeks after the show aired, Ruth confirmed she had undergone the second amputation.
Addressing her TikTok followers, she explained: 'Hi guys, so I have some good news and some bad news. Good news, we've had a full circle moment, I'm back making TikTok content in my parents' house, bad news, I can't do it in front of that lovely blue floral wallpaper anymore, due to the fact that that room is upstairs, and I've just had my second below-knee amputation.'
She went on to reveal she had acquired a new wheelchair, which she humorously named "Fat Tony," noting its limited speed capabilities especially when encountering steps.
Overcoming Years of Struggle
Ruth has been open about the challenges that led to her amputations. She explained that worsening nerve pain from her original football injury severely impacted her mental health, as her 'whole life' revolved around trying to heal her leg. Speaking to the Irish Examiner, she said: 'For years, I didn't see it getting any better. I was stuck in a really bad mindset and I was p****d off at life.'
After numerous failed surgeries, Ruth made the difficult decision to amputate her right leg, reflecting: 'It took eight years of my life, constantly going in and out of hospital. When I made the decision to amputate it, things finally started to turn around. It was a relief. I could get on with my life.'
Her appearance at the Hadestown gala represents not just a return to public life, but a powerful statement of resilience and determination in the face of significant physical challenges.
