A Health Battle That Changed Everything
Cheryl Fergison, best known as the much-loved Heather Trott on EastEnders, has revealed the devastating stroke that turned her world upside down. The 59-year-old actress suffered the attack in May and was rushed to hospital after her son Alex spotted the warning signs.
“I would say it was probably one of the lowest times in my life,” Cheryl admitted. “One minute you’re walking, talking, living normally — the next, your world is rocked.”
The stroke left her unable to walk unaided. At first, three people had to help her to the bathroom. Even now, she relies on a walking stick and continues physiotherapy to rebuild her strength.
The Moment She Knew Something Was Wrong
Cheryl was at home watching TV when she began to feel strange. A sharp headache spread across the back of her head. Later that night, she lost her balance and felt numbness down her right side. Alarmed, she called her son Alex. His experience with elderly patients meant he quickly recognised the symptoms. He immediately phoned an ambulance.
Doctors confirmed she had suffered a stroke. For Cheryl, the news was frightening but also life-changing. “You lose the ability to coordinate your hands, to walk properly, your balance is gone. It’s frustrating. But I am coming on in leaps and bounds now,” she explained.
Scammed, Penniless, and Left to Start Again
Her health scare is only the latest in a series of painful struggles. A decade earlier, Cheryl discovered she had lost her life savings in a cruel financial scam. Her accountant had stolen her money for five years, leaving her hundreds of thousands in debt.
The timing was devastating. She had just left the Celebrity Big Brother house on a high, excited about her future, only to learn her finances were destroyed. Police later revealed her accountant had been caught by Interpol in connection with another fraud. But Cheryl never recovered a penny.
Despite being the victim, she still had to repay the debt herself. “It’s taken me so many years to recover. I had to sell my house,” she recalled.
Cancer, Homelessness, and Private Pain
Cheryl’s life has often mirrored the drama of Albert Square. In 2015, she underwent surgery for womb cancer. Years earlier, in 2002, she found herself homeless with her baby son after escaping a toxic marriage. They lived in a women’s shelter for eight months.
She also opens up about private struggles with binge eating and the lasting trauma of childhood sexual assault. “Food was my coping mechanism,” she admitted, explaining how she ate both in celebration and in sadness.
Finding Strength, Laughter, and Love
Through it all, Cheryl has refused to give up. Her upcoming memoir, Behind the Scenes, tells her full story — the heartbreak, the resilience, and the moments of joy. Among the tough times are lighter memories, like how her character’s obsession with George Michael turned into a real-life friendship with the star himself.
She also speaks candidly about her marriage to her Moroccan husband, Yassine El Jamouni, who is 20 years younger. “People will gossip, but I know the truth,” she said.
Now, as she prepares to turn 60, Cheryl insists she is looking forward, not back. “Material things don’t matter. Friends, family, and laughter — that’s all that matters. Going into this new decade is a chance for a new me. I’m not ready to be put out to graze yet.”
