Peep Show star Matt King 'gutted' to cancel tour after rare stroke: 'I have to put my health first'

In April, the 58-year-old actor, best known for starring as Super Hans in the Channel 4 sitcom, revealed that he had been rushed to the hospital after experiencing a stroke of the spinal cord.

In April, King revealed that he had experienced a spinal cord stroke

Instagram

However, months later, King has had to cancel his upcoming book tour and live show as he continues to recover from the stroke.

In an Instagram post on Wednesday, September 6, King wrote: “To all my peeps. I’m absolutely gutted to be saying this but unfortunately, following my recent stroke, I’m not gonna be well enough to take part in the upcoming Super Hans book signing tour and FANE event.

“I was massively looking forward to meeting you all and was really hoping to have recovered in time, but I have to be realistic and put my health first.”

He said the audiobook of his recently released autobiography, Moreish, will also be delayed until late October.

“But yes, SUPER HANS is definitely narrating the audiobook and I’m having a f**king blast working with the old reprobate once again and we both just want to make sure it’s something we’re completely proud of.

“The hardback and eBook are still out NEXT WEEK and I can’t wait for you all to read it.

“You’ll be going on quite the trip, that I can tell you.”

He apologised once again, stating that he is equally disappointed as fans, but hopes to be back on the mend and road again shortly.

King starred alongside David Mitchell and Robert Webb in the Channel 4 sitcom

Channel 4/YouTube

“Thanks for all your love, well wishes and ongoing understanding,” he said as he signed off the message.

Fans flocked to the comments to wish the comedian a speedy recovery, with many using quotes uttered by his iconic character in Peep Show, which he starred in from 2003 to 2015 alongside David Mitchell, Robert Webb, and Olivia Colman.

“Look after yourself good sir. Health first. It's a savage garden my friend, a savage garden,” wrote one, whilst another said: “The secret ingredient is love. Get well soon.”

Revealing his stroke earlier this year, King said his “legs were jelly and it didn’t feel f****** brilliant”, but praised staff at The Royal Sussex hospital for helping him with his recovery.

According to the Brain and Spine foundation, a spinal stroke is a disruption in the blood supply to the spinal cord which can cause injury or damage to tissues and block messages (nerve impulses) travelling along the spinal cord.

It is a rare condition which the foundation says accounts for 1.25% of all strokes.