This Country star Michael Sleggs dies aged 33

Wednesday 10th July 2019, 9:53am

This Country. Michael 'Slugs' Slugett (Michael Sleggs). Copyright: BBC
  • Michael Sleggs, who plays Slugs in This Country, has died at the age of 33
  • The actor had living on palliative care at home, after having been diagnosed with heart failure

Michael Sleggs, who plays the character Slugs in This Country, has died aged 33.

The podcast linked to the show shared the news on their Twitter account, posting "We are devastated! Our friend, the man the legend Michael Sleggs #Slugs passed away last night. RIP Michael. You are one in a million."

At the end of May, Sleggs revealed on Facebook that, after suffering heart failure, he would be "living out the remainder of his days at home".

He posted at the time: "Hi friends, as a lot of you are probably aware I've spent a lot of time in and out of hospital over the past few months. This last time it was decided I was reaching the end of options so they've sent me home on palliative care to live out the remainder of my days at home. No specific time limit has been given but deterioration has been fairly rapid. I've been sleeping a lot and narrowly dodged a coma by accidentally overdosing on morphine the other day.

"Anyway as you can imagine this isn't the ideal way I wished things to go and my family are dealing with a lot of grief. Just wanted to say I love everyone reading this status so much, you have all been such amazing, kind, caring people who have all touched my life in so many unique and incredible ways."

He added: "Sorry if this status is too schmaltzy but not everyone has the chance to say goodbye so indulge me lol. If you're wondering why I'm not sounding freaked out by the whole situation. Well, initially I was, but, as always in a time of crisis (should have been way before I'm ashamed to say) I turned to God and my Christian faith. Been reading the Bible daily, listening to Christian songs and sermons and it's changed my entire mindset to nothing but peace and gratitude.

"Guys, regardless of a few medical issues, I have been blessed with the best life and the best friends and aside from not following God more diligently earlier in life I don't have any regrets. If you don't know Jesus already, my only hope is that you get to know him before you get to my state. He'll totally rock your world in the best way!"

Sleggs was a long-term friend of This Country writers and stars Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper, and the duo created the character for him to play. It was his first TV role.

This Country producer Simon Mayhew-Archer says: "Michael encapsulated the spirit and humour of This Country. He was a fantastic, talented man who brought tremendous joy to all who knew him and saw him. I loved working with him and will miss him."

In October, the actor revealed he had written a comic biography about his time at school.


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