Jim's stroke on Eastenders

[notSarah]

I know the actor had a stroke in real life, but found tonight's episode really touching yet sad.

very close to the truth, as I know from personal experience.

[tiggerblue10]

I found it very moving as well notSarah. It was good to see him back.

[notSarah]

I just wondered if that might be his final appearance, Tigger.

btw, it's me.. Sara3. I got suspended/banned.. heaven only knows why!

[Velvetee]

Did he have a stroke in real life too?

[notSarah]

he did, and I think it was touch and go for a while. good on him for appearing in tonight's episode.

[tiggerblue10]

Yes Velvetee. He had a stroke last June.

[tiggerblue10]

He had another stoke on 8th Aug according to Wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bardon

[sleepy1]

oh dear what a shame he has had another one .hope he gets better soon

[tiggerblue10]

Hi Sara, thought it might be you.

NK strikes again!!!

[sleepy1]

noknow they are still talking about jack ...i don't think they know he has died

[notSarah]

nk? I thought he was a pussycat!

[ELVIS68]

The way they was helping him out of the taxi it looked like he was playing that for real, either that or the cast have learnt to act like normal people

[notSarah]

it was real. he had a massive stroke and sadly, has all the classic signs.

[beejaybee]

I was crying also during the programme.According to the teletext news he`s not had another stroke, but he`s back in hospital.

[mydogsandme]

my mum was only asking me this morning-I know he had a stroke in real life but was he ACTING a stroke victim with more symptoms than he has or is that actually how he is now,if you know what I mean? ANyone know?

[lankeela]

Thats what I was trying to ask on Media and TV, as I find it very unsettling if they used his illness to get ratings.

[notSarah]

well, stroke or not, he is capable of making a decision as to whether he wanted to appear.

I suggest that his symptoms are absolutely for real. I guess it raises awareness, and is hardly a huge story-line or rating-puller.

but, having dealt with this stuff first hand, I found it quite distressing to watch.

[lankeela]

Oh no? Not what this says!

The return of John Bardon for a one-off episode gave EastEnders a ratings boost last night (Monday), according to early figures.

The actor was forced to retire from his role as Jim Branning in the soap after suffering a stroke in July 2007 but paid a surprise visit to the Square in last night's episode, shown on BBC One at 8pm. The episode was seen by 8.65m (39.6%) over 30 minutes, a week-on-week rise of 800,000 viewers and enough to place EastEnders above Coronation Street. A further 583,000 (3.2%) watched the later repeat on BBC Three.

[notSarah]

was it publicised in advance? I didn't see anything..