JLS star Aston Merrygold has opened up about the devastating emotional and physical toll of his recent ankle injury, revealing the painful recovery process has been "killing me" during a heartfelt interview on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch.
The Painful Incident That Changed Everything
The 38-year-old Peterborough-born singer suffered a catastrophic ankle injury during rehearsals late last year when he jumped from a platform to conclude a show. "Basically, jumping off a platform to end the show, I vanished through the stage and landed on some crash mats," Merrygold explained to hosts Simon Rimmer and Tim Lovejoy. "Obviously, I got excited and probably jumped a bit too high, trapped my leg between the crash mats and my body kept going."
Severe Damage Requiring Major Surgery
The incident resulted in such extensive damage that Merrygold required complete ankle reconstruction surgery on December 5th. "I broke everything in my ankle, apart from the bone," the singer revealed, highlighting the severity of the soft tissue damage. The surgery marked the beginning of what would become a challenging and emotionally draining recovery journey.
Continuing Performances Despite Limitations
Remarkably, Merrygold has continued performing with his JLS bandmates Marvin Humes, Oritsé Williams, and JB Gill throughout his recovery. The determined singer has been appearing either seated or using crutches during performances, refusing to let the injury completely derail the band's commitments and their connection with fans.
The Emotional Impact of Limited Mobility
During the Sunday Brunch interview, Merrygold became particularly emotional when discussing how the injury has affected his daily life and family interactions. "The worst, worst part of the whole thing was that I had to be bed-bound at one point," he confessed. "Then, when I could stand up, it had to be no weight. So no picking up the kids, no kind of running around."
When Lovejoy suggested the limitations must be "killing" him, Merrygold agreed wholeheartedly: "It's killing me. But everything, even in the week, going away with the kids for a few days is lovely." The singer admitted to sometimes ignoring medical advice, saying, "Obviously I didn't listen. You can't have those special moments just taken away fully."
Football Background Makes Recovery More Difficult
The injury has been particularly challenging for Merrygold given his background as a talented footballer. When asked about how the injury has affected his exercise regime and sporting activities, he revealed: "I can't run yet. So that's kind of the extent of it. Stairs are good now, for the ankle progression."
Philosophical Perspective on Health
Lovejoy offered a philosophical observation during the conversation, noting: "You know what they say, and this is so true, a well man has 10,000 wishes and an ill man has one." Merrygold responded with complete agreement, saying "100 percent," acknowledging how the injury has reshaped his perspective on health and mobility.
Road to Recovery and Future Outlook
When asked about his recovery timeline, Merrygold explained that his surgeon indicated it would take "over six months" from the December surgery date. Despite the challenges, the singer remains determined to return to full mobility and resume all his normal activities, both on stage and in his personal life.
The emotional interview provided rare insight into the personal struggles celebrities face when dealing with serious injuries, highlighting how physical limitations can impact mental wellbeing and family dynamics. Sunday Brunch continues to air on Channel 4 every Sunday morning from 10am, featuring candid conversations with notable figures from the entertainment world.
