Emmerdale actor Kevin Mathurin has revealed that he suffered a minor heart attack after being taken to hospital, describing the frightening health crisis as an experience that “changed my life forever.”
The 53-year-old, who has portrayed village vicar Charles Anderson since joining the ITV soap in 2020, said he is now concentrating on rebuilding his health and giving himself time to heal.
Mathurin said the ordeal began last year when he developed chest pains following a prolonged period of stress and pressure. He was sent to A&E, where doctors discovered a blocked artery that had damaged his heart and contributed to heart failure.
Doctors treated the blockage with medication rather than surgery. Since then, the actor has made major changes to his lifestyle, including exercising and improving his diet to help control his blood pressure, heart rate and cholesterol.
He also posted a video showing his time in hospital and the months that followed. Mathurin, who has been clean and sober for 16 years, said his recovery has included prioritising time with his partner, Nikki Beatnik, as well as his family and close friends.
In a lengthy caption accompanying the video, Mathurin explained that he had been struggling beneath the surface. “I was under a lot of stress and pressure,” he wrote. “External issues were taking over my wellbeing. I was anxious, stressed, always angry and suppressing it all.
Emmerdale actor Kevin Mathurin, 53, says a heart attack and hospital emergency changed his outlook on life
Mathurin has played village vicar Charles Anderson on Emmerdale since 2020 and is now focused on rebuilding his health
“I wasn’t dealing with things head on. I had also lost a really good friend to cancer and was upset that I couldn’t attend his funeral because of work commitments. It was all too much that week, and I felt pain in my ribs and arms throughout it.
“But, knowing me, I didn’t complain. I carried on filming, working out and driving up and down the country to spend time with my family.”
Mathurin said it was Nikki who urged him to arrange an ECG. “By the time I got home from the hospital, my doctor called and told me to go straight to A&E,” he recalled.
“Long story short, I had a blocked artery that had damaged part of my heart. It made my heartbeat abnormal, caused heart failure and resulted in a minor heart attack.”
Although he had felt well in himself, the actor said the diagnosis alarmed both him and his family. He admitted that he was shaken by the fact he had ignored warning signs for an entire week.
While being treated at King’s Hospital in London, Mathurin was kept under observation and underwent an angiogram so doctors could assess the extent of the blockages.
Fortunately, he did not require stents or other surgery. Instead, his recovery has relied on medication, regular exercise and a healthier diet designed to keep his blood pressure, heart rate and cholesterol at safer levels.
The hospital stay also gave him time to reflect, he said. “While I was in hospital that week, I had plenty of time to think, reset and reevaluate my priorities, as well as how I had reached this point in my life. It triggered a complete reboot in the way I viewed people, places and things.”
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Mathurin said chest pains emerged last year after a sustained period of anxiety, stress and pressure
Doctors found a blocked artery after the Emmerdale star was taken to A&E, with the blockage contributing to heart failure
Medication, exercise and dietary changes are now helping Mathurin manage his blood pressure and heart rate
The actor documented his hospital stay and recovery after revealing he has been clean and sober for 16 years
The soap star also shared that he’s been clean and sober for 16 years, and shared how he rebuilt himself following the heart attack with regular gym sessions
Kevin urged his followers to ‘be present’ by spending time with loved ones, including his partner, DJ Nikki Beatnik, and their son Harley
‘I want to see my children grow up into wonderful adults and be in a position to guide them when they need me. I want to spend quality time with Nikki and be present when I’m with her and my family.
‘I want to see my friends and let them know how much I value their company and time. I want to be a reliable work colleague and have gratitude for what this profession has given me and be open minded for whatever is around the corner.
‘A huge thank you to all the doctors and nurses at King’s Hospital and the cardiac physiotherapists at Lewisham Hospital. THANK YOU NHS ❤️
‘Fear makes you ill. Shuts you down and stand still. Love your people, love life and keep moving.’
Many of Kevin’s fans were quick to share their well-wishes in the comments, alongside his co-star Ash Palmisciano, who plays Matty Barton.
He commented: ‘Ah mate what a stressful time and you still showed up being the nicest guy ever and you’re right it really does! big love mate xxx’
Prior to starring in Emmerdale, Kevin has played James in Michael Morpurgo’s The Butterfly Lion at Chichester Festival Theatre, Crooks in Of Mice and Men UK Tour and Bill in The Visit at The National Theatre.
He joined the soap’s cast at the height of the Covid pandemic, and has since appeared in 400 episodes.
He’s been in a relationship with DJ Nikki since 2011, and they are parents to son Harley, 11.