The new year has taken a serious turn for beloved comedian Colin Mochrie, who was admitted to hospital for emergency ocular surgery on Friday. The 68-year-old star, a fixture on the improv show Whose Line Is It Anyway? for over thirty years, was diagnosed with a detached retina.
Tour Postponed Following Medical Diagnosis
Mochrie's condition has led to the immediate postponement of several dates on his ongoing HYPROV tour, a unique blend of comedy and hypnotism he performs with collaborator Asad Mecci. The news was shared with fans in a joint statement from Mochrie and the HYPROV show on social media.
The statement read, 'We regret to inform you that our upcoming show will be postponed due to a medical situation involving Colin Mochrie. Colin has been diagnosed with a detached retina and will be undergoing emergency eye surgery today.' It assured fans that while Mochrie's medical team is optimistic about his full recovery, he requires significant time to rest and heal.
Understanding a Detached Retina
A retinal detachment, as defined by the Mayo Clinic, occurs when the thin layer of tissue at the back of the eye pulls away from its normal position. It is considered a medical emergency. The longer it remains untreated, the higher the risk of permanent vision loss in the affected eye.
Key symptoms of the condition include:
- The sudden appearance of many dark floaters or shapes in vision.
- Flashes of light in one or both eyes.
- A gradual reduction in peripheral (side) vision.
- Blurred or reduced central vision.
HYPROV Show and Road to Recovery
The HYPROV tour, which launched last month and was scheduled to run through April, features Mecci hypnotising volunteers from the audience before Mochrie performs improvised comedy with them. The show has been described as a one-of-a-kind fusion of chaos and connection.
In their online post, the HYPROV team expressed well-wishes, captioning: 'We are so sorry and we wish @colinmochrie7591 a speedy recovery.' The statement also conveyed that Mochrie 'is incredibly grateful for your support and well wishes' and looks forward to returning to the stage soon.
Born in Kilmarnock, Scotland, and raised in Canada, Colin Mochrie remains a cherished figure on both the British and American versions of Whose Line Is It Anyway?. His colleagues and fans across the UK and beyond now await positive news on his health following this unexpected medical emergency.
