Hollyoaks’ Craig Russell: ‘Nearly Died’ from Undetected Brain Tumour

Hollyoaks’ Craig Russell has revealed he ‘nearly died’ after a brain tumour went undetected for 15 years and left him suffering terrifying side effects. 

The Welsh actor, 48, who played DI Mark Gascoyne in the Channel 4 soap between 2008 and 2009, alongside roles in EastEnders and Netflix’s Queen Cleopatra, was left with memory loss, confusion and also began to lose his vision in one eye.

The symptoms first began in September 2022, before being left ‘all over the place’ when wife and fellow actor Kate Edney convinced him to see a doctor.

Medics then informed him he had a non-cancerous tumour that had grown to such a scale his skull had been left ‘deformed’ and would need to undergo an operation to remove the mass from his brain. 

Craig, who shares sons Teddy, 10, and Henry, seven, with his wife told PA Real Life: ‘The tumour got so big it pushed my skull up and out, it deformed the back of my head,’

‘There was a very real chance I wouldn’t survive the operation because one little mistake and that’s it, or at best I could come out blind or have a stroke’.

Hollyoaks ‘ Craig Russell has revealed he ‘nearly died’ after a brain tumour went undetected for 15 years and left him suffering terrifying side effects

He was left  with memory loss, confusion and also began to lose his vision in one eye.

Craig played DI Mark Gascoyne in the E4 soap (pictured) between 2008 and 2009, alongside roles in EastEnders and Netflix ‘s Queen Cleopatra

Craig has since gone on to make a full recovery and finished his latest film Protein, in which he plays a cannibal series killer, which was released earlier this year. 

He said: ‘Someone asked me if I thought I’d ever see the film finished, which was a sobering idea as I nearly died before it came out, I’m so glad I was there to see it, so I just have a lot of pride for everyone in’

Reflecting on unknowingly batting through the symptoms of his illness, he wrote on Instagram: ‘In the years leading up to my brain tumour diagnosis I was a mess’. 

‘Didn’t know what I was doing, always confused and often making ridiculous decisions. All the while [My wife] Kate remained the most loyal & incredible source of all that’s great. A massive shout out to Kate today as I strive to make this year all about looking after her’. 

Last month Craig’s former Hollyoaks cast mate Stephanie Waring said she was left ‘hysterically crying, shaking and begging’ when she was sacked from the show. 

The actress, 47, starred in the Cheshire soap on Channel 4 for 28 years from 1996 to 2024. Hollyoaks was hit by stringent budget cuts last year and cut down from five to three instalments a week, letting go of staff too.

Stephanie’s character, Cindy Cunningham, was axed by bosses and the star has delved into how she reacted in her book, Breaking The Script.

She recalled how she had a meeting with two producers who broke the news to her by reading a written statement. 

The symptoms first began in September 2022, before being left ‘all over the place’ when wife and fellow actor Kate Edney convinced him to see a doctor 

Craig, who shares sons Teddy, 10, and Henry, seven, with his wife (pictured) : ‘The tumour got so big it pushed my skull up and out, it deformed the back of my head,’

Craig has since gone on to make a full recovery and finished his latest film Protein, in which he plays a cannibal series killer, which was released earlier this year

Reflecting on unknowingly batting through the symptoms of his illness, he wrote on Instagram: ‘In the years leading up to my brain tumour diagnosis I was a mess’

The star described how she struggled to process what was being said to her and as it sank in, she felt emotional at the departure of her beloved character. 

She wrote, ‘But as the statement neared its close, before the final words were even spoken, I felt a tear roll down my cheek. I was shaking as I looked at the two of them.’

‘Then it happened. ‘And with that said, we will be losing Cindy from the show. I’m so sorry, Steph.’ The world stopped for a second as I replayed those words in my head. Then… I lost my s***.’

She was particularly heartbroken that her staple character would not be featuring in the big anniversary special. 

Stephanie went on to write, ‘What? No! You mean you’re not taking me to the 30th?’ I blurted out, referencing the upcoming anniversary of the show – a milestone that meant so much to the long-standing cast.

‘I don’t understand. No, I don’t understand. I don’t understand!’ I was frantic. ‘But I’ve been so loyal. Please, no. This is my life. I love my job – please, no!’

She described how she was ‘hysterically crying’ and added: ‘I repeated myself, hoping one of them would see my distress and take it all back. Had they made a mistake? My world felt like it was imploding.’ 

Last month Craig’s former Hollyoaks cast mate Stephanie Waring said she was left ;hysterically crying, shaking and begging’ when she was sacked from the show 

Stephanie’s character, Cindy Cunningham, was axed by bosses and the star has delved into how she reacted in her book, Breaking The Script 

She signed her new contract which started from April 27 and her character departed in July. 

However, the short notice made her feel like she ‘had swallowed a grenade’ and she admitted to ‘a few expletives rolling off my tongue like bullets’.

Afterwards, she ran out of the room and found comfort from Kirsty Leigh Porter and Jennifer Metcalfe, who starred as Leela Dexter and Mercedes McQueen in the show.

Since leaving the soap, Stephanie has gone on to become a ‘certified mind-body coach’, according to her social media.