I don't believe it! Richard Wilson, 80, looks the picture of health as he returns to the stage for first time since near-fatal heart attack

  • Veteran actor suffered a cardiac arrest last August and was rushed to hospital, sustaining a head injury after a fall
  • The accident occurred right before he was due to bring Victor Meldrew back for a one man show at the Edinburgh Festival
  • He has now returned to the stage in Chichester for new production of Alan Bennett's play Forty Years On

By Julia Pritchard and Andrew Bullock For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

He has been recovering at home over the last few months, after being left 'fighting for his life' by a serious heart attack in August.

But Richard Wilson, 80, seemed back to his best self on Tuesday, as he made his return to the stage for the first time since his illness.

The One Foot In The Grave star, who was last seen with a walking stick, appeared to be in tip-top shape as he made a confident debut in Alan Bennett's Forty Years On, at the Chichester Festival Theatre.

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When there's a Will-son there's a way! Richard Wilson, 80, seemed back to his best self on Tuesday, as he made his return to the stage for the first time since his illness

When there's a Will-son there's a way! Richard Wilson, 80, seemed back to his best self on Tuesday, as he made his return to the stage for the first time since his illness

Better than ever: The star, who was last seen with a walking stick, appeared to be in tip-top shape as he made his debut in Alan Bennett's Forty Years On, at the Chichester Festival Theatre

Better than ever: The star, who was last seen with a walking stick, appeared to be in tip-top shape as he made his debut in Alan Bennett's Forty Years On, at the Chichester Festival Theatre

The famous thespian seemed the picture of health as he returned to performing, after suffering a heart attack which left him on life support in intensive care.

Clad in traditional school robes and a mortarboard, the actor looked worlds away from his recovering self, seen with a walking stick last month, as he instead immersed himself in his Headmaster character. 

Embarking on a number of playful scenes with school students and a matron in the show, Richard was met with a rave reception from the audience as he returned to acting with a smile on his face.

Unrecognisable: The famous thespian seemed the picture of health as he returned to performing, after suffering a heart attack which left him on life support in intensive care

Unrecognisable: The famous thespian seemed the picture of health as he returned to performing, after suffering a heart attack which left him on life support in intensive care

Having a ball: Embarking on a number of playful scenes with students and a matron, Richard was met with a rave reception from the audience as he returned to acting with a smile

Having a ball: Embarking on a number of playful scenes with students and a matron, Richard was met with a rave reception from the audience as he returned to acting with a smile

Richard has chosen Alan Bennett's Forty Years On for his much-anticipated return - having never performed at the famous Chichester venue before. 

The play, which was Bennett's first West End production, follows students at a British public school who are putting on a show for parents about the Great War, and the loss of a generation of young men.

Wilson stars as The Headmaster in the show - which has also been played by Welsh dramatist Emlyn Williams and John Gielgud in the past. 

Lying low after his illness, Richard had last been seen with a walking stick in March, as she enjoyed an easy stroll around London. 

Back at it: Clad in traditional school robes and a mortarboard, the actor looked worlds away from his recovering self as he instead immersed himself in his Headmaster character

Back at it: Clad in traditional school robes and a mortarboard, the actor looked worlds away from his recovering self as he instead immersed himself in his Headmaster character

Road to recovery: One Foot In The Grave's Richard Wilson, 80, was aided by a walking stick as he was pictured looking happy and healthy after he was left 'fighting for his life' following a heart attack last August

Road to recovery: Lying low after his illness, Richard had last been seen with a walking stick in March, as she enjoyed an easy stroll around London (above)

The TV favourite was spotted out and about in North London with the help of a walking stick.

Wrapped up in a bright red padded jacket, the veteran comedic performer was seen with a scarf around his neck, and sported a purple jumper underneath.

He kept things comfy in a pair of loose slacks and trainers, and donned a pair of shades to avoid squinting his way through the sunny London spring weather.

He looked wonderfully healthy and smiled to himself has he crossed the street.

Back on his feet: The Victor Meldrew actor was spotted out and about in North London with the help of a walking stick

Back on his feet: The Victor Meldrew actor was spotted out and about in North London with the help of a walking stick

The accident occurred right before he was due to bring Victor Meldrew back for a one man show at the Edinburgh Festival.

Fans were eagerly anticipating the one man show, given the fact that they never thought they'd see Victor alive again thanks to his One Foot In The Grave death.

But the sad turn of events saw the show cancelled, with Richard instead rushed to hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Veteran Scottish actor Richard Wilson, who was born in Greenock, Renfrewshire, is believed to be in a stable condition in hospital after suffering cardiac arrest

Veteran Scottish actor Richard Wilson, who was born in Greenock, Renfrewshire, is believed to be in a stable condition in hospital after suffering cardiac arrest

At the time, a source told The Sun: 'Richard had a really nasty fall and hit his head.

'He was on life support in the hospital in the intensive care unit. He’s stable but very ill and in a serious condition. It’s been a very difficult time for his friends and family.' 

His 86-year-old sister Moira told the Mirror: 'I am praying he’s OK. We haven’t seen each other. I can’t travel.'

Richard, who was born in Greenock, Renfrewshire, had recently revealed he originally turned down his most famous role, playing Victor Meldrew in One Foot In The Grave.

The Scottish actor made his name playing the cantankerous protagonist but said he had to be talked into it because he thought he was too young for the part. 

He told Radio Times: 'I was in my early 50s and Victor was 60. I turned it down. 

'I think Les Dawson was being considered. A very funny man but I don't know if he could have played Victor.'

Producer/director Susan Belbin continued to pursue Wilson and, after reading more scripts, he was convinced.

He went on to play the pensioner at war with middle-class suburbia for five series from 1990 to 1995, before returning for a final run in 2000. 

His 12-night run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival was due to start on a matter of days before the heart attack took place.

But concerns about his health were raised when it emerged he had pulled out of the run of shows, with his agent then confirming he had been taken ill.

Wilson had planned to re-create writer David Renwick's script for a 1993 episode called The Trial, which sees Victor waiting in the house, on a rainy day, on call for jury duty.

Half an hour with Victor would have been followed by half an hour with Wilson himself, answering questions from the audience.

The actor promised fans that the OAP - known for the catchphrase 'I don't believe it!' - would not have mellowed with age.

He said: 'I think Victor is around 80 now. But I am playing him roughly 74.

'He has not changed one bit. In fact, it's quite hard to get back to my normal, affable, lovable self after being him, even for half an hour.'  

One Foot In The Grave: Annette Crosbie as Margaret and Richard Wilson as Victor Meldrew

One Foot In The Grave: Annette Crosbie as Margaret and Richard Wilson as Victor Meldrew

 

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