The Bill's Chris Ellison shares update on aphasia diagnosis
Former The Bill star Chris Ellison appeared with his wife Anita on Good Morning Britain to discuss the DCI Burnside actor's battle with aphasia, the same mental condition that affects Bruce Willis. The condition has affected Ellison's cognitive abilities, making it difficult for him to communicate.
Video transcript
- You may have great difficulty with speech now, but it's very important to say, Chris, that you remain fully aware of the world around you. And you are more than happy to join us today. You've made that very clear. So Anita, speaking for both of you, why did you decide to do what Bruce Willis and his family have done this weekend and talk about Chris's condition? ANITA ELLISON: Mainly it's been so lonely because Chris wouldn't go out. We found when we did go out and he'd see people, he felt really embarrassed and he'd just grab my arm because he knew he couldn't speak. And he didn't want people to see him like that. We just felt-- I don't know. It's-- it's difficult to explain. He wasn't being vain or anything. He just was desperate because he knew he couldn't answer back. So we'd go home. And we've kind of been like hermits really. Haven't gone out much at all. So when I heard about Bruce Willis I thought, well, Chris's talents have been taken away, his gifts, you know? He was a great actor. He's a wonderful artist. But he's the same man. He's the same intelligent man inside, and I feel he still deserves the respect and love of everyone, you know? It's time for him to-- it's like coming out, you know? - Yes, exactly. - It's important to do it, and I think-- - You may think it's difficult to explain, but I have to tell you, it's not at all difficult to understand that reserve and that embarrassment.
