Hollyoaks star Andy Newton-Lee placed in a COMA for a week after collapsing at wheel of his car… blaming ‘burning the candle at both ends’ for health scare
- Actor-turned-businessman was found collapsed at the wheel of his car in Los Angeles and rushed to hospital
- Andy was placed into a medically-induced coma for a week and was woken up on Wednesday
- He is best known for playing Robbie Flynn on Hollyoaks from 2003 to 2004 and Stacey Merrick on Casualty from 2005 to 2008
Former Hollyoaks actor Andy Newton Lee has woken up after being placed in a medically-induced coma for a week.
The 38-year-old star – who played Robbie Flynn in the soap – was found collapsed at the wheel of his car in Los Angeles and rushed to hospital, where he was diagnosed with pneumonia and placed in a coma last Thursday.
Andy, who was woken up on Wednesday this week, is now on the road to recovery, blaming the shock health scare for ‘burning the candle at both ends’.
Shock health scare: Former Hollyoaks actor Andy Newton Lee has woken up after being placed in a medically-induced coma for a week
The former soap star was found in his vehicle by a passerby at a viewing point overlooking the city.
Andy has paid tribute to the kind Samaritan, revealing he would have died from pneumonia if they hadn’t called for help when they did.
Speaking to Hull Live, Andy said: ‘I’d just been sleeping next to the ocean in my car, it’s nice, it’s like being at the Humber Bridge, my dad used to do it.
‘I’ve been really run down and stressed for a bit with my business. I’ve had a cold and the flu but I thought I was just run down.
Worrying: The 38-year-old star – who played Robbie Flynn in the soap – was found collapsed at the wheel of his car in Los Angeles and rushed to hospital, where he was diagnosed with pneumonia and placed in a coma last Thursday
Stressed and overworked: Andy, who was woken up on Wednesday this week, is now on the road to recovery, blaming the shock health scare for ‘burning the candle at both ends’
‘I’ve done marathons, going to yoga and the gym, flying back to London every second week and burning the candle at both ends.’
Andy insisted he was feeling ‘much better’ despite facing a slow recovery.
He was devastated to miss the funeral of his close friend Melissa Ede, which he was supposed to fly back to the UK for.
The British actor, who is also known for his roles in Casualty and Coronation Street, first burst onto the scene thanks to his 2004 Christmas single with the Cheeky Girls.
A classic: The British actor, who is also known for his roles in Casualty and Coronation Street, first burst onto the scene thanks to his 2004 Christmas single with the Cheeky Girls
Fitness fan: Athletic Andy has competed in an incredible 13 marathons and seven half marathons to date
He is best known for his role as Robbie Flynn on Hollyoaks from 2003 to 2004 and Stacey Merrick on Casualty from 2005 to 2008.
This isn’t the actor’s first health scare since in 2005 Andy was diagnosed with stage 3 malignant melanoma in both legs.
He went on to become an ambassador for Cancer Research UK and raise awareness for skin cancer in men, competing in an incredible 13 marathons and seven half marathons to date.
Andy rebranded himself as a successful businessman and entrepreneur during his 12 years living in LA, setting up relocation company Next Stop LAX.
The leading service has helped clients in the entertainment industry including Tulisa, Matt Lucas and Ruby Rose secure visas to move to America.
The businessman said: ‘I’ve done marathons, going to yoga and the gym, flying back to London every second week and burning the candle at both ends