Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email
Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter
Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter
Peep Show star Matt King has revealed he suffered a “rare stroke” that initially left him paralysed, but he is now able to walk again.
The 58-year-old actor and comedian, best known for his role as drug dealer Super Hans in the Channel 4 sitcom, confirmed he was rushed to hospital on Sunday after experiencing a spinal cord stroke.
King shared that while he was initially unable to move, he has since regained his ability to walk, expressing gratitude to his fans for their “love and kindness”.
In a post shared on Instagram on Thursday, which featured a photograph of the actor in a hospital bed, he said: “It’s true. I had a rare stroke of the spinal cord on Sunday.
“I was initially paralysed but was rushed to The Royal Sussex and the staff have been amazing.
“Can walk again, a bit. My legs were jelly, man.
“It didn’t feel f****** brilliant. Thank you for all the love and kindness.”
Actor Matt King in his hospital bed after suffering a rare stroke (Matt King)
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 per cent of all strokes.
King starred in Peep Show which aired between 2003 and 2015, alongside David Mitchell, Robert Webb, and Olivia Colman. It became Channel 4’s longest-running comedy series and a cult TV show.
Over the years, the actor has also performed as Super Hans at some DJ events around the UK.
Fan favourites David Mitchell, Olivia Colman, Isy Suttie, Matt King and Sophie Winkleman reunited for the first time in 10 years in the Great British Bake Off Christmas special in 2025.
Olivia Colman, Isy Suttie, Matt King David Mitchell, and Sophie Winkleman appearing in The Great Peep Show Christmas Bake Off (Channel 4/Love Productions)
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day
New subscribers only. £9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled.
Try for free
ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day
New subscribers only. £9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled.
Try for free
ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
The actors tackled a series of seasonal baking challenges to be judged by Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood.
Oscar winner Olivia Colman, who played Sophie, won the Christmas special after she impressed judges with an apple and cinnamon cake depicting her character in a ball pit and a technical challenge featuring turkey pies.
