Hollyoaks' Duncan James Faced Being Permanently Paralysed After Recent Health Scare

Duncan James has revealed the extent of his recent health scare, revealing he could have been permanently paralysed or even died. 

The Blue singer was rushed to hospital back in June, following complications from emergency spinal surgery.

Revealing he is still unable to walk properly following the traumatic episode, Duncan told The Mirror his prognosis could have been much worse. 

“Doctors told me I could have spent the rest of my life in a wheelchair - or died,” he said.

“The feeling in my leg may take years to come back - and it may never return.”

Duncan’s problems began when he woke up one morning to discover his left leg was completely numb. An MRI scan then revealed he needed an emergency op on his back, with medics warning he’d be paralysed if they didn’t operate. 

“They said if they didn’t operate that same day I’d be paralysed because a nerve that was trapped would die,” he said.

“I’d also lost control of my bladder. They said I might have to be catheterised permanently.”

While the surgery was initally a success, after Duncan returned home, he began experiencing headaches, sickness and a swelling on his back that he “knew wasn’t right”. 

Then while watching TV with his mother one evening, his back opened and cerebrospinal fluid began pouring out. 

Duncan was then rushed to hospital, where another operation was quickly carried out, and has praised the staff for being the “only reason I can walk today”. 

His second operation day just days before he was meant to begin filming his role as newcomer Ryan Knight on ‘Hollyoaks’, with his debut postponed as a result. 

He has since begun work on the Channel 4 soap, but admitted there has been “a lot of leaning on walls and using props for support” in order to hide the fact he still can’t walk properly. 

Duncan’s character will be seen for the first time on Thursday (11 August), where it will be revealed he is the new boyfriend of the returning Amy Barnes. 

A new trailer has also teased that Ryan, who is a policeman, will also clash with Amy’s ex-boyfriend Ste Hay upon his arrival. 

‘Hollyoaks’ airs weekdays at 6.30pm on Channel 4.