Irish actress Ruth Codd has publicly announced that she has undergone a second below-knee amputation, six years after her first. The 29-year-old, best known for her role in Netflix's 'The Fall of the House of Usher', shared the significant personal update with her followers on TikTok, delivering the news with her signature dark and hilarious humour.
A Characteristically Witty Announcement
Filming from her parents' house, Codd addressed her audience directly. "Hi guys. So, I have some good news and some bad news," she began, setting the tone for the candid video. "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 any more, due to the fact that that room is upstairs."
She then revealed the core of her announcement: "I've just had my second below-knee amputation." With typical understatement, she added, "So, unfortunately, those facilities are not available to me at the current moment in time. So a lot to unpack there for everyone involved." While she did not specify the medical reason for this latest operation, she panned the camera to introduce her new wheelchair, which she has affectionately nicknamed 'Fat Tony'.
Fan Reactions and Autocaptions Gone Wrong
The online community was quick to respond with an overwhelming wave of supportive messages. The actress, seemingly touched but preferring her customary jesting tone, quipped in response, "Guys stop being nice to me it's weirding me out."
A source of unintended comedy came from the platform's automatic captioning feature, which misheard "below-knee amputation" as "bologna amputation." Fans immediately seized on the error, with comments such as, "sorry to hear about your second bologna" and "In fairness I’ve never liked bologna." Others humorously speculated that her nemesis from 'Celebrity Traitors', Jonathan Ross, was somehow to blame, referencing her premature murder on the show after she correctly identified him as a Traitor.
Her co-star from 'The Fall of the House of Usher', Rahul Kohli, also joined the banter, writing "Excuses, excuses," to which Codd fired back, "How do I block someone twice?" In the video's caption, she further showcased her resilient spirit, writing, "No legs who dis? #paralympics2026," and when asked which event she would compete in, she jokingly replied, "rhythmic gymnastics."
A Journey of Chronic Pain and a Life-Changing Decision
This is not the first time Ruth Codd has faced such a profound medical procedure. Her journey began at age 15 when she sustained a leg injury playing football. The injury failed to heal correctly, leading to multiple surgeries and debilitating chronic pain over many years.
She has previously spoken openly about how her deteriorating physical health took a severe toll on her mental wellbeing, stating that her "whole life revolved around trying to heal my leg." In an interview with the Irish Examiner, she reflected, "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 eight years of constant hospital visits and failed surgeries, she made the empowering decision to amputate her right leg at the age of 23. She described the amputation not as a loss, but as a relief that allowed her to finally move forward. "When I made the decision to amputate it, things finally started to turn around. I could get on my life," she explained.
Ruth Codd first rose to prominence by posting on TikTok during the Covid-19 pandemic, creating a mix of comedic sketches and content focused on disability awareness. Her online presence led to her being discovered by the casting team for the Netflix series 'The Midnight Club', where she was cast as Anya despite having no prior professional acting experience. Her career has since flourished, culminating in her critically acclaimed performance in Mike Flanagan's 2023 horror miniseries, 'The Fall of the House of Usher'.
