Michael Sleggs Tributes paid as ‘This Country’ star dies, aged 33
TRIBUTES have been paid to This Country actor Michael Sleggs, who has died aged 33. The news comes seven weeks after he revealed on social media that he was terminally ill and did not have long to live.
In a later post on Facebook he said he was put onto palliative care due to “heart failure” and was not battling cancer, as previously reported.
The character of Michael ‘Slugs’ Slugette had the disease on the BBC3 show, which was filmed on location in and around the Cotswolds town of Northleach.
The long-time friend of its creators, Daisy Mae and Charlie Cooper, said his illness had helped him reconnect with his Christian faith.
On June 1, he took to social media to say: “I don’t know how long this turn around will last but I’ll try and keep alive as long as I can.”
Following news of his death on Tuesday, friends and fans have been paying tribute.
Sali Hughes tweeted: “This is just horribly sad news. Poor Michael Sleggs and his family. Xx”
Neil Studd wrote: “Devastated to hear about the passing of This Country’s Michael Sleggs.
“An underappreciated comic genius, and a true gent. #Ripslugs #Thiscountry.”
Michael made his acting debut in This Country and appeared in seven episodes as Slugs.
The Coopers based his character on himself.
Back in December, Michael kept up his sense of humour when he shared a picture of himself in hospital holding up a throwback post on his phone.
“Checked my Facebook memories, 3 years to the day I was in the hospital for heart failure,” he wrote.
“It’s like a crap die hard franchise, ‘How can the same s**t happen to the same guy twice!’ lol. Soz I ain’t looking for pity, just tickled me.”