Comic's arm started waving involuntarily

Rhod Gilbert has spoken of having a health scare after his arm started spasming.

The comic suffered a suspected 'mini-stroke' while at home in London – sitting on the toilet.

Gilbert told Wales Online that his left arm started shaking involuntarily, like he was ‘waving at someone’.

‘About 30 seconds it went on for, and I can vouch 100 per cent for the fact there was absolutely no one else there in the loo with me,’ he said.

‘So who my arm thought it was saying hello to I really don't know. It was an odd episode.’

The comedian was referred to a London stroke clinic for tests, which ruled out any serious neurological condition, although he is still waiting for the result of heart tests.

’But I'm pretty sure it'll turn out to be nothing serious,’ he said.

Gilbert was talking to promote the new series of his  Work Experience show, which returns to BBC One Wales next month.

He also recalls how he was working as a bricklayer on a building site for the show when he had a phone call telling him that his Dad had suffered a heart attack.

‘That was a tough shoot, three days laying bricks with that image of him laid up in the back of my mind the whole time,’ he said. But added: ‘He's doing great now.’

A ‘mini stroke’ – or transient ischaemic attack – is caused by a temporary disruption in the blood supply to part of the brain which causes temporary symptoms similar to a stroke, such as speech and visual disturbance, and numbness or weakness in the face, arms and legs. The NHS advises anyone suffering such an attack to call 999 as it could be the start of a full stroke.

Published: 26 Feb 2017