Malcolm Hebden in a rare TV interview (Picture: REX)

Coronation Street legend Malcolm Hebden is in recovery following a serious heart attack, he has revealed. The actor, who is best known for playing Norris Cole in the soap, was in an induced coma for several weeks and admits that he was very close to dying.

Viewers who have been missing Norris have been worried about Malcolm due to his extended absence from the show over health issues. But now, as the 78-year-old is on the mend, he has spoken out about his illness.

He told the Blackpool Gazette: ‘Most of December I was in an induced coma, in the care of these brilliant, wonderful people at the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU). Fortunately I didn’t realise how bad it was; I was dying. The cardiac team, headed by Mr Joseph Zacharias, simply saved my life.



MORE: Shayne Ward’s brother is caught up in terrifying nightclub shooting in Benidorm


‘I was informed by my doctor I had had at least one heart attack. I was sent to hospital, by emergency ambulance to Blackburn hospital and was there one night. While there I collapsed and was brought here to Blackpool Victoria – where I was operated on, in a procedure which was described by my surgeon Mr Zacharias as groundbreaking.

‘The heart attack tore a hole in my heart, they operated and took a chance.’

Malcolm had sought care having thought that he was suffering from a chest infection but it was far more severe than that. Using tissue taken from a cow, his heart was wallpapered in a procedure, which has reportedly been a success.

There is no indication if and when Malcolm intends to return to Coronation Street but we wish him well in his recovery.

MORE: Shayne Ward’s brother is caught up in terrifying nightclub shooting in Benidorm

MORE: Coronation Street spoilers: Antony Cotton reveals heartbreaking details of Sean’s homelessness storyline

Advertisement Advertisement