Eastenders - has Dots husband had a stroke in real life?

[pattymc]

I remember him being ill and I know it's a weird question but we have been wondering if he had had a stroke

yes, I think he did and they wrote it into the script.

(disclaimer, non EE viewer but I read the papers)

Yes he did, he was off screen for ages I think.

yes, read in the paper he is getting much better and will be in the show more soon

that's really quite brave isn't it? so he is actually like that in real life?

yes, he was very ill and off the screen for months

the writers didnt want to over work him, but he wanted to come back, plus show how stroke patients recover, hence the lack of speech and more moans/nods of head from jim