Brian May taking each day as it comes after 'minor' stroke, says Anita Dobson

Brian May and Anita Dobson have been married since 2000
-Credit:PA Archive/PA Images


Actress Anita Dobson has provided an update on her husband Sir Brian May's health, stating that he is "stable" and they are "taking each day as it comes" after his stroke last year. The Queen guitarist, 77, disclosed in a September Instagram post that he had suffered a "minor stroke", resulting in loss of control over his arm.

Dobson, known for her roles in EastEnders and Doctor Who, has been married to the musician since 2000. She told The Sun newspaper that the health scare served as a reminder that "life is precious".

The 75 year old actress also shared that the couple had experienced some ups and downs at the start of the year, including both contracting the flu. However, they managed to take their 15 children to Lapland.

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Dobson revealed that since moving from London to the countryside, Sir Brian has "never been happier". She said: "To see what it has done to Brian... he loves it. He loves the birds and the animals".

She added that he enjoys feeding all the local wildlife, comparing it to "He feeds all the birds and the badgers, foxes and pheasants. It’s like running a pub for animals."

Sir Brian had previously described the health scare as "a little scary" but praised the "fantastic care" he received from Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey.

At the time, he mentioned being "grounded" due to medical advice against driving, flying or any activity that could elevate his heart rate. Dobson concluded by saying they have been "spending time at home" and "taking each day as it comes", adding: "It makes you realise that at any minute it could be you. You don’t have to necessarily be old, it could be anyone".

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"You think you are fit; you see these people who run marathons and then at a young age they are gone."

"You have to live every day as if it was your last. It’s not easy to do that."

"You forget and think ‘I’ve got another week’ and it’s all booked up. You have to be aware that life is precious, and with life changing so fast we are all on a bit of a thin thread, if you like."

"You forget and think ‘I’ve got another week’ and it’s all booked up. You have to be aware that life is precious, and with life changing so fast we are all on a bit of a thin thread, if you like."

The actress is set to delve into her EastEnders past when she joins co-star Ross Kemp for his documentary celebrating the BBC soap's 40th anniversary next month. Dobson, who portrayed Queen Vic landlady Angie Watts from the very first episode on 19 February 1985 until her exit in 1988, drew over 30 million viewers when her on-screen husband Den Watts served her with divorce papers in the iconic 1986 Christmas Day episode, famously declaring, "Happy Christmas, Ange".

Additionally, the actress featured in Doctor Who last year as Mrs Flood, the enigmatic neighbour to the Doctor’s companion Ruby Sunday, and has confirmed her return in upcoming episodes of the beloved BBC sci-fi series.