TV star, Craig Russell, has opened up about the symptoms that led to his brain tumour diagnosis, in an effort to raise awareness of cancer. The 47-year-old actor, known for his role as Marc Antony in Netflix’s African Queens: Cleopatra, began experiencing ‘intense headaches’ and a ‘shooting pain’ in the back of his head two years ago.
Unlike his usual migraines, these were accompanied by an unusual ‘whooshing’ sound. In an interview with the Telegraph, the father-of-two said: “I was increasingly forgetful, and becoming more and more clumsy.
“[My wife] Kate was concerned that it could be early onset dementia, though I’m only 47.” With Christmas just around the corner, Craig and Kate initially buried their heads in the sand, but his symptoms only continued.
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Alongside the headaches, Craig made several bizarre and frighteningly forgetful errors. On one occasion, he believed he had locked himself in their spare room, only to discover the door was right behind him.
He also frequently got lost while out, whether it was taking wrong turns at roundabouts or needing to photograph a hotel layout to remember how to return to his room. When he confided in friends, they suggested it might be ‘something viral’, anxiety-related or even dehydration.
Craig initially tried to manage his symptoms with breathing techniques, cold showers, and increased water intake, but eventually confided in his wife, who encouraged him to see a doctor. “I told the GP everything that had been happening, suggesting I could have anxiety or maybe a virus,” he said in a previous conversation with Brain Tumour Research. “She checked my eyesight and found I was going blind in my left eye.
“I’d never needed glasses and was in my mid-40s, I thought maybe this was a sign of ageing and I was referred for a CT scan.” In February 2023, Craig was diagnosed with low-grade meningioma.
Doctors reportedly informed Craig that his tumour had likely been growing over ’15 years’, and was now causing his skull to protrude. Thankfully, it was soon removed in a surgery lasting six-and-a-half hours, but even 18 months later, he is still recovering from the ordeal.
Migraines and brain fogs are still a part of everyday life while, more recently, he even collapsed after bumping his head. However, he told the Telegraph: “I’m amazed by my own recovery, and especially by the fact that my eyesight is now perfect again.”
According to the NHS, brain tumour symptoms vary depending on the affected area, but common symptoms include:
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Progressive weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
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Headaches
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Persistently feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting) and drowsiness
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Seizures (fits)
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Vision or speech problems
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Mental or behavioural changes, such as memory problems or changes in personality
Its advice adds: “See a GP if you have these types of symptoms, particularly if you have a headache that feels different from the type of headache you usually get, or if headaches are getting worse.
“You may not have a brain tumour, but these types of symptoms should be checked. If the GP cannot identify a more likely cause of your symptoms, they may refer you to a doctor who specialises in the brain and nervous system (neurologist) for further assessment and tests, such as a brain scan.”