Rob Mallard health: I was ‘embarrassed’ and ‘angry’ – Corrie star on his chronic condition

Rob Mallard, 27, is a familiar face on people’s television screens. The actor has played the character Daniel Osbourne on ITV soap opera Coronation Street since 2016. The actor bravely revealed another side to his personality following an appearance on This Morning last year.

Viewers of the show took aim at his appearance, commenting on his shaking and asking if the star was drunk.

But two months later, in March, Rob returned to This Morning to reveal his shaking was a symptom of a secret health condition he’s been living with for a decade known as essential tremor.

An essential tremor is a neurological condition that causes an uncontrollable shake in a part of the body.

Rob admitted he felt “exposed” and “embarrassed” when viewers commented on his appearance the last time he was on the show.

But he hoped by addressing his critics, he would be able to empower others living with the condition to come forward.

It was something I tried to keep a lid on

Rob Mallard

He said: “It’s nearly ten years I’ve been aware of it now, my solution to it was to hide and manage, because of the job that I’m in it could really have a detrimental effect on my ability to get cast.

“It was something I tried to keep a lid on.

“But once it was exposed live on TV, at first I was incredibly embarrassed, incredibly embarrassed, and then angry, and then I started getting lots of messages off people on Twitter saying ‘me too.’

“So I thought well there’s been an unnecessary spotlight that’s been thrown on me here, and instead of just leaving it and letting it pass me by I can instead redirect it onto something useful.”

Rob explained the condition mainly affects his hands, adding: “By the time I’m 50 it could well be in the voice box and back of the spine.”

To hide his involuntary shaking on Coronation Street, the actor says he uses as many props as possible.

But the ITV soap has helped Rob manage his condition. He said: “They’re great with me.”

Essential tremor symptoms

Essential tremor typically worsens over time and can be confused with Parkinson’s disease.

According to Mayo Clinic there are five symptoms to look out for.

The tremor may:

• Begin gradually, usually more prominently on one side of the body
• Worsen with movement
• Usually occur in the hands first, affecting one hand or both hands
• Can include a “yes-yes” or “no-no” motion of the head
• May be aggravated by emotional stress, fatigue, caffeine or temperature extremes

Essential tremor isn’t life-threatening, but symptoms often worsen over time, explained Mayo Clinic.

• If the tremors become severe, a person might find it difficult to:
• Hold a cup or glass without spilling
• Eat normally
• Put on makeup or shave
• Talk, if their voice box or tongue is affected
• Write legibly

Source: Read Full Article