Michael Barrymore suffers strokes and epilepsy at 73, reveals terrifying seizure battle as fans rally around him
Michael Barrymore has opened up about a devastating health battle, telling fans he developed epilepsy after suffering mini strokes.
The comedian, once one of Britain’s biggest TV stars, took to TikTok to share the diagnosis, posting photos of himself in hospital and reaching out for support.
recommended by
“I developed epilepsy at 73,” he told followers. “A mini stroke caused me to have uncontrollable seizures. I suffer from cluster seizures, which means I can have three attacks in a short period. It’s scary because there’s a 40% chance it could turn into something life-threatening.”
Barrymore revealed he now keeps emergency medication at home and said it would be “nice to talk with other sufferers” about the condition. Despite the illness, he assured fans it doesn’t otherwise affect his daily life.
Screenshot
It’s the latest twist in a remarkable comeback. After his ITV career collapsed in the wake of the Stuart Lubbock tragedy in 2001, Barrymore vanished from screens for years. But in recent years he has reinvented himself as a Gen Z cult figure, with 3.8 million TikTok followers and an estimated £250,000 annual income from brand deals and online content.
PR insiders say the entertainer is thriving online, producing daily clips, comedy skits, and lifestyle vlogs. Even US pop star Sabrina Carpenter has reposted his videos.
Screenshot
Fans see Barrymore not as a disgraced star of the past, but as “Uncle Michael” – a grandfatherly figure who now finds solace and purpose in sharing his life, and his struggles, online.