Legendary Queen guitarist Brian May has issued a plea to fans after suffering from a stroke and losing control of motion in his arm.
The 77-year-old, who is also a passionate animal rights activist and astrophysicist, released a video to Instagram in which he updated his 3.3 million followers on his health problems.
In the footage, the musician revealed he was left without 'any control over his arm' but followed this up by praising the care he received from paramedics and the NHS.
Thankfully, he has since recovered the ability to play guitar, he said, after what he described as a 'little health hiccup'.
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The post from May came with a plea to fans, with the rock 'n' roll legend asking people not to 'clutter up his inbox'.
"I’m here to bring you first of all some news, I think," he started off by saying.
"The good news is that I can play guitar after the events of the last few days.
“I say this because it was in some doubt because that little health hiccup happened about a week ago. What they called it was a ‘minor stroke’.
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“All of a sudden, out of the blue, I didn’t have any control over this arm, so it was a little scary."
May added: “I had the most fantastic care and attention from Frimley Hospital; blue lights flashing the lot, very exciting.
“I didn’t want to say anything at the time because I didn’t want anything surrounding, you know. I really don’t want sympathy, please don’t do that because it will clutter up my inbox."
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One fan said: "So glad that you are well and recovering fully."
Another replied: "Hardly a hiccup Bri! It must have been so scary for you tho think you may have lost use of your arm for ever. So pleased and relieved you are recovering well now.
"Please be careful and look after yourself very very well. Relax and read lots of interesting books."
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And a third posted: "Brian, I don’t want to clutter up your inbox, so-to-speak, but I do want to say that I’m very happy to hear that you’re doing so well!
"Strokes, large or small, as you know, are serious business and I hope you will heed your doc’s orders in every way, as frustrating as they may be."
Status Quo guitarist Francis Rossi wished May well while appearing on ITV's GMB, where he said: "It comes to us, I suppose. We're in our mid 70s, I just wish him well."
The mini stroke has meant that May's frontline role in a current campaign against culling badgers has been put on hold. The cull has been authorised to help prevent the spread of bovine tuberculosis; something campaigners like May say badgers aren't causing.
What are the symptoms of a stroke?
- Face – the face may have dropped on one side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have drooped.
- Arms – the person may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there because of weakness or numbness in one arm.
- Speech – their speech may be slurred or garbled, or the person may not be able to talk at all despite appearing to be awake; they may also have problems understanding what you're saying to them.
Other possible symptoms of a stroke
- complete paralysis of one side of the body
- sudden loss or blurring of vision
- being or feeling sick
- dizziness
- confusion
- difficulty understanding what others are saying
- problems with balance and co-ordination
- difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- a sudden and very severe headache resulting in a blinding pain unlike anything experienced before
- loss of consciousness
If you suspect you or someone else is having a stroke, phone 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance.
Tom Earnshaw