Hollyoaks star Ellie Henry has shared details of a health setback she experienced recently, opening up about having her first seizure in five years.
The actor, who played Freya Calder in the soap until earlier this year, shared an Instagram photo of herself sitting on top of a car and holding up a number 0 balloon, as she spoke about the impact that having epilepsy has had on her.
"I should be celebrating 5 years seizure free this week but instead I announce 0 days," she wrote. "Having a seizure out of nowhere after almost 5 years has been the biggest confidence knock.
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"I'd be lying if I said this didn't feel like a huge step back but I have to choose to keep moving."
Explaining that she can "no longer shower, walk my dog, nip to the shop or just be in the house alone", she said that having to now be "under constant supervision" for her own safety has been "a big loss for someone who has worked so hard to become independent".
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"It does also mean I'll be saying goodbye to my beloved car and driving licence," she said. "As a wheelchair user, my car may as well be my legs and ticket to freedom. The loss hurts a lot. This is life with epilepsy".
The actor received lots of support from her followers, including her former Hollyoaks co-star David Ames (Carter Shepherd), who wrote: "I've got your back, kiddo. Always".
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Frankie Osborne actor Isabelle Smith also commented, writing: "I'm here no matter what, I love you so much".
Henry joined Hollyoaks as Freya in March 2022, when she befriended Mason Chen-Williams. After a minibus accident on the way to a school trip, Freya was left paralysed, and was devastated to discover that the crash had been a result of driver John Paul McQueen suffering from alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
She later struggled with the murder of her mother Lexi Calder at the hands of Silas Blissett, before her dad Carter was introduced. Freya left the village this summer, after she decided to move to Spain with Scott Drinkwell.
Hollyoaks airs on Mondays-Wednesdays with its Channel 4 streaming premiere at 7am, then an E4 broadcast the same night at 7pm. Full episodes are also released on YouTube a week after their Channel 4 release.
Selected omnibus episodes are available via Prime Video.
Read more Hollyoaks spoilers on our dedicated homepage
If you were impacted by the themes in this story, the NHS has a free helpline on 0808 800 5050, or you can email helpline@epilepsy.org.uk. Epilepsy UK can also offer guidance and support by texting CARE to 70800.
