Les Dennis’s on-screen character in ‘Coronation Street’ has the same life threatening heart condition that killed his father.
The 61-year-old entertainer – who plays Michael Rodwell on the ITV soap – has revealed that cardiomyopathy is also the condition that killed his long-standing comedy partner, Dustin Gee.
He reflected: "The parallels with this storyline are quite freaky. Michael has been diagnosed with hypertrophic Âcardiomyopathy – Dustin had dilated cardiomyopathy, while my dad died from a heart condition.
"Because of this, it is something I obviously relate to. Dustin was in his prime and doing really well at 43, then he was suddenly taken away. I draw on the tears easier because of it.
"Dustin knew he had this condition, he knew he was on borrowed time but Dustin being Dustin, a fatalist, just said, ‘F*** it. When I go, I go’."
Les said he hopes the story of his on-screen character will help to educate some viewers.
He told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "With this storyline I hope to show people how to deal with it – there’s no cure but it can be lessened.
"I know the researchers spoke to a lot of consultants and were very keen to get everything right. I also spoke to two guys who have the same condition as Michael. They had to undergo a heart transplant but have both come out the other side."
Les Dennis reveals personal meaning of Coronation Street storyline
