Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Nicholas Brendon in hospital after ‘cardiac incident’

Buffy the Vampire Slayer actor Nicholas Brendon is in hospital after a “cardiac incident”.

The star, 51, who played Xander in the hit Nineties series, was taken to A&E for treatment and is now resting.

The news was shared in a statement on his Instagram. It was posted alongside photos of Brendon on a stretcher, in a wheelchair and on a hospital bed.

The statement reads: “Nicky sends his love and wanted me to apologise that he hasn’t been going live as much lately and to give everyone an update.

“Nicky is doing fine now but he had to be rushed to emergency about two weeks ago because of a cardiac incident (tachycardia/arrhythmia).”

It continues: “Some of you might remember he had a similar incident after his second spinal surgery last year (for Cauda Equina) but this time he is trying to get a little more rest and has been concentrating on medical appointments.”

In October last year, Brendon’s manager said that the actor was withdrawing from all promotion for his film Wanton Want after suffering paralysis in his legs and genitals.

The symptoms are understood to be caused by Cauda equina syndrome, a rare condition in which the end of the spinal cord is compressed, causing severe swelling and cutting off movement and sensation of the genitals, bladder and bowel.

In August that year, Brendon was arrested for using a false identity to try to purchase drugs.

He was officially charged with the crime of “prescription fraud of a controlled substance and for refusing to identify himself when stopped for an infraction” in Indiana.

In recent years, the actor has had numerous legal issues including a 2017 case for domestic violence.

He has also previously been in rehab for substance abuse, depression and alcoholism.

If you have been affected by this article, you can contact the following organisations for support: actiononaddiction.org.uk, mind.org.uk, nhs.uk/livewell/mentalhealth, mentalhealth.org.uk.