CELEBRITY Traitors star Celia Imrie has revealed her secret health battle that stops her from flying.
The national treasure, 74, who was hugely popular on the BBC show last year, has candidly opened up about her ailment that stops her travelling by plane.
Celia Imrie has opened up about her secret health battle Credit: Getty
The Celebrity Traitors star revealed she is unable to fly because of her condition Credit: BBC
Speaking to the October issue of Saga Magazine, Celia revealed she has suffered two pulmonary embolisms, after being first hospitalised with blood clots on her lungs in 2005.
“I suppose my way of travel is a bit different, simply because I don’t fly and I love going on ships and trains,” she told the publication.
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“People don’t believe it when I tell them I do this. It’s not an affectation.
“I don’t fly because I had two pulmonary embolisms, which has to be mentioned otherwise people will think I’m a green goddess, or that I’m just making a fuss, neither of which is true. I’m not preaching to anyone.”
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The illness left her unable to work and struggling with her mental health.
“I liken my life to a game of snakes and ladders. It’s wonderful to go up the ladders, but there are snakes around the place and they come upon you sometimes when you’re not looking,” Celia said.
The actress now has to travel by train or boats Credit: Paul Edwards
Celia was hugely popular on Celebrity Traitors Credit: BBC
“I was on a snake at the time… Churchill used to call it the black dog.
“The illness did lay me flat for a bit. Your body does have an aftershock. It’s quite hard to explain, but I know I was on the floor.”
But things turned around for Celia when she made a trip to France and bought a flat there.
“Yes the paradise of Nice did save my life actually,” the actress revealed.
“I went out for a baguette and came back with an apartment.
“I do believe that with these sort of things, you are the one who can get yourself out of it. With the help of the beauty of Nice, I picked myself up. It gave me that twist to get myself up again.”
Celia is a huge star thanks to her incredible career as an actress, which has spanned over five decades.
The star has appeared in huge films like Nanny McPhee, Calendar Girls and Mamma Mia 2.
While on the small screen she is known for Better Things, Dinner Ladies, and of course Celebrity Traitors.
You can read the full interview in the October issue of Saga Magazine out tomorrow.
