Duncan James gives ‘frustrating’ health update after emergency surgery on rare condition

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Blue singer Duncan James has opened up on his recovery following surgery on his rare back condition, called cauda equina syndrome, as he still suffers with numbness

Duncan James has revealed his difficulties with his rare back condition are "ongoing", seven years on from his emergency surgery.

Blue singer Duncan, 44, had emergency surgery six years ago after he was diagnosed with cauda equina syndrome.

The condition, according to the NHS, is a rare and severe type of spinal stenosis where all of the nerves in the lower back suddenly become severely compressed.

Cauda equina syndrome requires emergency surgery as the longer it is left untreated, the greater chance it could lead to permanent paralysis and incontinence.

Duncan, who recently revealed Blue's weird ritual ahead of their comeback tour, underwent surgery to correct the issue after his leg went numb in 2015.

Despite the operation being a success, Duncan has revealed he still suffers with numbness, which the singer still has to be "mindful" about.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Mirror , Duncan revealed how his condition still affects him today.

He said: "My back is an ongoing issue. I have to be really mindful about it."

Duncan added: "I am still numb down my left side, I still can't feel the left side of my foot, my bum on my left side at the bottom is completely numb.

"It's really frustrating because sometimes I'll put my keys or my phone in my back left pocket and I might be sat down on a chair and I'm going through my pockets going: 'Oh my God, I've lost my phone, lost my keys and I can't find it anywhere,' because I can't feel them in the back pocket, I don't think they're there.

"And then I have a panic attack," he said.

Duncan continued: "Then I just randomly check my back pocket and I'm like: 'Oh, sorry, panic over' and I've got everybody looking for them and they're actually there. It's because I can't feel it. So it's really it's really weird sensation."

The singer has since become a Parton for the Cauda Equina Champions Charity and has revealed he has met a number of "incredible people" who "unfortunately have it a lot worse off" than the singer, making him grateful that he was able to receive treatment when he did.

Singer Duncan is grateful that he had the emergency operation when he did

He said: "I've met some incredible people who unfortunately have it a lot worse off than me – people who are really struggling, actually, who not only can't walk anymore, but they have to be catheterised for the rest of their lives, they lose their sexual function.

"I was really close to that happening to me so, I am just so grateful and thankful that I managed to escape that because it would have meant that I wouldn't been able to perform and do all the shows that I've been able to do like Rocky Horror, playing Frank 'N' Furter and all that stuff."

Following the operation, Duncan wowed audiences across the UK as he played Frank 'N' Further in the UK tour of the Rocky Horror Show in 2019.

Blue's Duncan James has paired up with Claire Richards to become Simply Wed

Image:

( PinPep)

However, it was a close call for the star, who told the Mirror : "I'm really lucky that I had surgery when I had if I'd waited one more day I would have not been able to be doing any of this."

Duncan has paired up with Mini Cheddars and Steps star Claire to offer one lucky couple the chance to have them perform at their wedding.

To enter, couples need to share a picture or video with their partner on Instagram explaining why they should win and tag @minicheddarsuk and using the hashtag #MiniCheddarsWedding. Entries should be received by Friday 19 August.

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