Beloved Loose Women star Linda Robson has opened up in a chillingly candid interview about a health crisis that brought her face-to-face with mortality. The 69-year-old actress, known for her iconic role as Tracey Stubbs in Birds of a Feather, revealed she was placed in intensive care and feared she might not survive after developing acute pancreatitis.
“It was petrifying,” Linda admitted. “I thought I was going to die.” Her ordeal began when doctors discovered two tumours in a difficult position on her pancreas, forcing her to undergo surgery to remove most of the vital organ. As if that weren’t enough, she also required a brain scan amid the medical emergency.
Throughout the terrifying experience, Linda’s family became her lifeline. “Seeing my kids’ faces got me through it,” she said. “They were at the hospital all the time. They’ve been amazing.” The support of her loved ones, she explained, was crucial in helping her confront the fragility of life and the stark reality of serious illness.
This was not Linda’s first brush with public concern. Just months earlier, fans were alarmed when she had to pull out of a pantomime performance at the last minute due to health issues. On Loose Women, she disclosed that doctors had been “keeping an eye” on her pancreas after gallstones caused damage, and that cysts on the organ had grown from 1cm to 2cm — a revelation that left her children deeply worried.
Linda has also been brutally honest about her mental health struggles. In her 2024 memoir, she recounted her battle with addiction and the despair that once led her to contemplate ending her life. “I hated myself,” she wrote. “I told myself I was just a burden to Mark and the kids and that I was ruining all their lives… That’s when I started to think I’d be better off dead.” Despite this, she voluntarily sought help and checked into the Nightingale Hospital, a courageous step that underscored her resilience and commitment to recovery.
Her story is one of raw vulnerability, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds of family. Through surgery, scans, and emotional turmoil, Linda Robson’s journey illuminates the often hidden battles faced by public figures, reminding us all of the fragility of health and the healing power of love and support.
Today, Linda stands as a testament to survival and courage. Her openness about her physical and mental struggles serves as an inspiring example for anyone facing adversity — showing that even in moments when life feels precarious, strength, family, and determination can light the way forward.
