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Heart surgery for actor Tomlinson Heart surgery for actor Tomlinson
(40 minutes later)
Comic actor Ricky Tomlinson has been told he must have open heart surgery. Comic actor Ricky Tomlinson has been told he must have heart surgery.
The 68-year-old, who starred as couch potato Jim Royle in BBC comedy The Royle Family, had a routine angioplasty on Friday to unblock his arteries.The 68-year-old, who starred as couch potato Jim Royle in BBC comedy The Royle Family, had a routine angioplasty on Friday to unblock his arteries.
But the procedure was halted after further blockages were found, and he will now need a quadruple bypass.But the procedure was halted after further blockages were found, and he will now need a quadruple bypass.
Tomlinson, also known for Brookside and Cracker, conceded it was "frustrating" but said he was told it would be "in my interests" to have the operation.Tomlinson, also known for Brookside and Cracker, conceded it was "frustrating" but said he was told it would be "in my interests" to have the operation.
He added that he had been pre-warned that this might be the outcome of Friday's hospital visit.He added that he had been pre-warned that this might be the outcome of Friday's hospital visit.
"I thought they had carried out the procedure because I was in the operating theatre for quite some time, about an hour," the actor explained."I thought they had carried out the procedure because I was in the operating theatre for quite some time, about an hour," the actor explained.
I was told this operation would make me a new man, and Rita says she could do with a new man Ricky Tomlinson jokes about his wifeI was told this operation would make me a new man, and Rita says she could do with a new man Ricky Tomlinson jokes about his wife
"But apparently they came across a problem in my main artery so I didn't have the complete operation.""But apparently they came across a problem in my main artery so I didn't have the complete operation."
Tomlinson is at home, waiting for an appointment with a specialist to discuss when the surgery can take place.Tomlinson is at home, waiting for an appointment with a specialist to discuss when the surgery can take place.
He said he was in good spirits, however, adding that the situation was more frustrating for his wife, Rita.He said he was in good spirits, however, adding that the situation was more frustrating for his wife, Rita.
"I was told this operation would make me a new man, and Rita says she could do with a new man," he joked."I was told this operation would make me a new man, and Rita says she could do with a new man," he joked.
Before Friday's procedure, Tomlinson had launched an awareness campaign to encourage men to check the health of their hearts, to try to avoid the need for surgery.Before Friday's procedure, Tomlinson had launched an awareness campaign to encourage men to check the health of their hearts, to try to avoid the need for surgery.