’EastEnders’ star Adam Woodyatt has revealed how his son was left fighting for his life in a coma after being hit by a car.
Sam Woodyatt was mowed down by the vehicle as he crossed a road in London back in September, and was subsequently airlifted to hospital.
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Adam Woodyatt and son Sam
Just Giving
His father Adam, who plays Ian Beale on the BBC One soap, told of how he underwent five hours of surgery to “put him back together”, and has spent the last two months in a wheelchair.
The pair are now planning to run the London Marathon to help raise money for the London Air Ambulance service, after Sam walked unaided for the first time last Friday (18 November).
Writing on his Just Giving page, Adam revealed they had actually planned to take on the 26 mile challenge before Sam’s accident, but had been spurred on by recent events.
“Having been an ambassador for the Air Ambulance Service for many years, I wanted to more actively fund raise now that both of my children have gone to university,” he explained.
“I then talked it through with my son Sam in mid September and we came up with the idea of him running it and me walking it as a kind of tortoise and the hare to show the difference in transfer times between an Ambulance and an Air Ambulance.”
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Adam has played Ian Beale on 'EastEnders' for 31 years
Jeff Spicer via Getty Images
Detailing how Sam’s accident affected their plan, he continued: “Thursday 29th September, Sam was crossing the road and got hit by a car. The London Air Ambulance responded, treated him at roadside, put him into an induced coma and took him to the Royal London Hospital.
“I’m not going to go into all the details, that’s Sam’s business but the operation to put him back together took five hours.
“Up until last Monday he was in a wheelchair, on Tuesday he started on crutches, yesterday, Friday 18th November, he was walking up a staircase unaided.
“His recovery has been amazing and we are going to continue with the original plan,” he added.
You can donate to Adam and Sam’s cause on their Just Giving page.
TV's Longest Serving Soap Stars
Bill Roache(01 of15)
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Played: Ken Barlow (1960 - Present, 'Coronation Street')
William, or Bill as he's known, was one of the original stars in Tony Warren's series. In the decades since, we've seen his character marry four different women, though Deirdre Barlow will always be his soulmate. (credit:ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Adam Woodyatt(02 of15)
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Played: Ian Beale (1985 - Present, 'EastEnders')
Not only is Ian the longest-serving 'EastEnders' character, but he's also the most married, following five ceremonies - though he did marry Jane twice. (credit:REX/Shutterstock)
Chrisopher Chittell(03 of15)
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Played: Eric Pollard (1986 - Present, 'Emmerdale')
Pollard has been at the centre of many big storylines, but none were more touching than his - often hilarious -relationship with Val. (credit:ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Emily is the longest-standing female character in 'Corrie', and though she's taken a handful of breaks from the soap, actress Eileen has always returned to t'cobbles. (credit:ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Pam St Clement(05 of15)
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Played: Pat Butcher (1986 - 2012, 2016, 'EastEnders')
We thought we'd seen the last of Pat in 2012, when she was killed off in emotional scenes. Little did we know, she'd be back for Peggy Mitchell's farewell. (credit:News (UK) Ltd/REX/Shutterstock)
After making a brief appearance in 1964, Barbara returned to the soap just under a decade later. (credit:Ben Curtis/PA Archive)
Richard Thorp(07 of15)
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Played: Alan Turner (1982 - 2013, 'Emmerdale')
Richard made his last appearance in the soap in July 2013, and his character was killed off, off-screen, three months later. Sadly, the actor then died in late October. (credit:ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Betty Driver(08 of15)
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Played: Betty Williams (1969 - 2011, 'Coronation Street')
The role was at first a bit part but due to Stan's popularity, he stayed in the Dales. And it simply wouldn't have been the same without him. (credit:ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Steve McFadden(11 of15)
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Played: Phil Mitchell (1990 - 2003, 2005 - Present)
Steve was honoured for his work on the soap at the 2016 British Soap Awards, where he received the Outstanding Achievement Award. (credit:Nils Jorgensen/REX/Shutterstock)
Over the years, Gail has had to deal with many unexpected moments, and Tina O'Brien's (pictured) teen pregnancy was just one of many that hit headlines. (credit:WHAT'S ON TV/REX/Shutterstock)
Clive Horby(14 of15)
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Played: Jack Sugden (1980 - 2008, 'Emmerdale')
Between 1972 and 1976, the role was played by actor Andrew Burt, but Clive made it his own when he arrived in the Dales. (credit:ITV/REX/Shutterstock)