Beloved actress Alison Steadman has opened up about her long road to recovery after a terrifying fall earlier this year left her unable to walk.
The Gavin & Stacey star, 79, was in Dubai in January for a poetry event when she tripped over an uneven concrete path at a restaurant, breaking a bone in her foot and fracturing her hand. The accident forced her into a wheelchair and temporarily halted her career.
Speaking at the Comedy Women In Print Prize in London this week, Alison looked radiant and cheerful as she revealed: “That fall was just terrible, shocking – it was an awful time. I’ve got to have another operation soon to take the metal screws out of my foot. But I’ve finally stopped using a stick, which is great. I’m walking again – hurrah!”
The Liverpool-born legend, who has been in a relationship with Welsh actor Michael Elwyn since 1995, says she’s grateful to be mobile again after what she describes as “one of the hardest years of my life”.
Despite her health struggles, Alison’s career remains as vibrant as ever. Her BBC sitcom Here We Go will return for both a Christmas special and a new series next year. “Oh, I’m delighted,” she said. “I just love being part of that family. Working with Jim Howick and Katherine Parkinson is such a joy – the writing is superb.”
Back in July, Alison stunned fans when she announced her retirement from theatre, citing a “terrible bout of stage fright” that struck her in 2012. But she insists she’s not retiring from acting entirely. “No no no! As long as people keep writing roles for me, I’ll do them. I’m 80 next year, can you believe it? But I still feel young at heart. I’m just going to keep going.”
Asked whether she’ll celebrate the milestone birthday, she smiled: “No, nothing big. I already did the huge bash for my 70th — and that was enough!”
The veteran actress, who famously played Pamela Shipman in Gavin & Stacey, laughed off rumours about a film adaptation. “A film? No, not that I know of, to be honest,” she said. But she added warmly, “I love that people still stop me in the street about it. It brought so much joy to people, and that means a lot to me. What more can you ask for?”
Alison also picked up the Witty Impact Award at the event, praising the recognition as “a lovely honour” after decades of balancing comedic and dramatic roles. “I’ve done a hell of a lot,” she smiled. “I’ve always wanted to do everything and not be pigeonholed. I just want the roles to keep coming.”
Now focusing on family and simple joys, Alison says her happiest moments are with her sons and grandsons, Freddie and Milo. “I’ve always loved Christmas, but with the two boys, it’s even more special. You see it all through their little eyes.”
