Actor didn’t know he had colour blindness
Doctor Zhivago actor Sir Tom Courtenay has found a new lease of life after undergoing surgery to correct the colour blindness he didn’t even know he had.
The condition, a result of childhood scarlet fever, was spotted by the 81-year-old’s doctor while he underwent tests to see if he was suitable for cataract surgery.
Speaking in an interview yesterday, the veteran actor said: “I can’t shut up about it.
“I bought a brown T-shirt in Glasgow a while ago, and now I’ve realised it’s plum!
“It’s incredible. I’ve got all this colour in my life.”
Courtenay also spoke about other health battles and how he is recovering from prostate cancer.
“People say you shouldn’t talk about it, but I’ve done some of my best work since I was diagnosed,” he added.
Courtenay will be starring in King of Thieves, the Hatton Garden heist comedy, alongside Michael Caine, Paul Whitehouse and Jim Broadbent later this year.
He is also starring in the Second World War romance, The Guerney Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.
Earlier this year he was given the freedom of the city of Hull, donating the honour to the fishing community area of Hessle Road, where he grew up.
Sir Tom was nominated for an Oscar in 1983 and knighted in 2001.