Robert Webb was 'two days from death'
6 years ago
13 April 2020 - 12:00 PM

Robert Webb was 'two days from death'

Share on
Share on Facebook
Facebook
X
Share on E-mail
E-mail

obert Webb was told he had two days to live before undergoing emergency heart surgery.

The 47-year-old comedian learned he had an undiagnosed heart condition - a mitral valve prolapse, which affects how blood flows around the body - during a medical exam, which caused him to feel lethargic, but he had assumed it was down to his age and his alcohol habits.

However, Robert was told by his cardiologist that he "would not last two days" if he didn\'t undergo an operation.

Brits turn to classic comedy box sets during coronavirus crisis

Speaking to The Sunday Times newspaper, he recalled: "I just assumed it was the booze. I thought, \'This is what you feel like when you\'re 47 and you treat your body like a skip.\'

"I\'d get really tired very quickly - I was very tired - but I thought, \'F**k it, I\'m 47\'. I didn\'t realise how unwell I was."

The \'Peep Show\' star had surgery in November after a cardiologist warned a surgeon: "You can\'t send him home for five days, he isn\'t going to last two days."

Sky commissions comedy series Frayed

However, he lost two-thirds of his blood cells during the operation, and he added: "It was all a bit touch and go."

The mitral valve is a small flap in the heart that stops blood flowing the wrong way, but a prolapse in the valve is when it becomes too floppy and does not close tightly.

According to the NHS, it is common for someone to not know they have the condition, as it can be asymptomatic.

Isy Suttie 'sad' about Peep Show end

Though drinking does not cause the condition, alcohol can accelerate it.

He eventually gave up drinking and cigarettes after dubbing his love for alcohol "an addiction" but refuses to go to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

Robert quipped: "Because Russell Brand would be there. I think I\'d rather have liver failure."

Share on
Share on Facebook
Facebook
X
Share on E-mail
E-mail

You might like these

Brits turn to classic comedy box sets during coronavirus crisis

6 April 2020 - 7:00 PM

Brits turn to classic comedy box sets during coronavirus crisis

Sky commissions comedy series Frayed

19 August 2019 - 2:00 PM

Sky commissions comedy series Frayed

Isy Suttie 'sad' about Peep Show end

30 March 2018 - 9:00 AM

Isy Suttie 'sad' about Peep Show end

David Mitchell and Robert Webb worry about offending

6 November 2015 - 5:03 PM

David Mitchell and Robert Webb worry about offending

Britney Spears releases Justin Timberlake collaboration
13 October 2026

Britney Spears releases Justin Timberlake collaboration

Britney Spears releases Justin Timberlake collaboration
RAYE blames bots after getting over a million sign-ups for intimate London show
13 October 2026

RAYE blames bots after getting over a million sign-ups for intimate London show

RAYE blames bots after getting over a million sign-ups for intimate London show
Fontaines D.C. frontman Grian Chatten says collaborating with Rosalía was a 'career high'
12 October 2026

Fontaines D.C. frontman Grian Chatten says collaborating with Rosalía was a 'career high'

Fontaines D.C. frontman Grian Chatten says collaborating with Rosalía was a 'career high'
Johnny Marr says death of Mani altered the meaning of Beyond The Rain
12 October 2026

Johnny Marr says death of Mani altered the meaning of Beyond The Rain

Johnny Marr says death of Mani altered the meaning of Beyond The Rain
The Rolling Stones are working on new music
12 October 2026

The Rolling Stones are working on new music

The Rolling Stones are working on new music
Oasis: Don't Look Back in Anger producer hints at second film
12 October 2026

Oasis: Don't Look Back in Anger producer hints at second film

Oasis: Don't Look Back in Anger producer hints at second film
Damian Marley reveals advice to son who prepares to follow in his musical family's footsteps
12 October 2026

Damian Marley reveals advice to son who prepares to follow in his musical family's footsteps

Damian Marley reveals advice to son who prepares to follow in his musical family's footsteps
Grimes reveals why there are no Elon Musk songs on new album Psy Opera
12 October 2026

Grimes reveals why there are no Elon Musk songs on new album Psy Opera

Grimes reveals why there are no Elon Musk songs on new album Psy Opera
Caroline Peaty Speaks Out on Ongoing Family Feud Following Adam Peaty’s Emotional TV Interview
28 July 2026

Caroline Peaty Speaks Out on Ongoing Family Feud Following Adam Peaty’s Emotional TV Interview

Caroline Peaty Speaks Out on Ongoing Family Feud Following Adam Peaty’s Emotional TV Interview
Michelle Keegan Unveils Copper Hair Transformation Alongside Co-Star Douglas Booth
28 July 2026

Michelle Keegan Unveils Copper Hair Transformation Alongside Co-Star Douglas Booth

Michelle Keegan Unveils Copper Hair Transformation Alongside Co-Star Douglas Booth
Amy Dowden Reflects on Physical Toll of Cancer Treatments and Medically Induced Menopause
5 July 2026

Amy Dowden Reflects on Physical Toll of Cancer Treatments and Medically Induced Menopause

Amy Dowden Reflects on Physical Toll of Cancer Treatments and Medically Induced Menopause
Lily Ludovici Gray Announces Engagement with Proposal Video in Ibiza
5 July 2026

Lily Ludovici Gray Announces Engagement with Proposal Video in Ibiza

Lily Ludovici Gray Announces Engagement with Proposal Video in Ibiza
Statistic Statistic