In a shocking turn of events, Gavin Mitchell, a beloved star from the hit show Still Game, recounted a terrifying experience where he momentarily lost consciousness after choking on his dinner during the New Year’s Eve celebration.
At 61 years old, Gavin, who is famously known for his role as ‘Boaby the Barman’, shared the harrowing details of the incident that occurred on Hogmanay. He explained that after a hectic December filled with festivities, he was at home unwinding with his partner, enjoying a cozy evening together.
"We decided to pick something to watch on TV—Paddington 2, which is one of my favorites! I just adore Hugh Grant's performance in it; he’s absolutely brilliant," Gavin told STV Radio, setting the scene of a relaxed night in.
During their dinner, Lindsay prepared one of Gavin's all-time favorite dishes: chicken katsu curry. However, when he took his first bite, things took a dangerous turn. "I started to choke almost immediately and had to rush to the bathroom, hoping to clear my throat. The next thing I remember, I woke up to find myself in a very strange situation, seeing what looked like a big piece of wood in front of me. I thought, ‘What is happening?’"
To his shock, Gavin came to find that his bathroom door had been broken down, with emergency responders at the scene, all thanks to his partner Lindsay, who had to forcefully remove the door to get to him.
"I could hear her distress as she spoke on two phones, and I was just confused, thinking, ‘What’s going on?’ She had smashed the door off its hinges to get to me,” he recalled. “I had collapsed, stopped breathing, and wasn’t responsive. Thankfully, many people were praying for my recovery!"
Fortunately, Gavin has since made a full recovery following this frightening episode. Interestingly, he revealed that the paramedic who attended to him was actually a fan of Still Game. "When I regained consciousness, the first thing the paramedic said was my character’s catchphrase, ‘aw, look who it isnae!’ It was quite the surreal moment! Thanks for that, it really helped me through the situation!"
This alarming incident serves as a reminder of how quickly circumstances can change, sparking conversations about health and safety during meals. Have you ever experienced something similar? What would you do in such a life-threatening situation? Feel free to share your thoughts and stories in the comments below!
