CORONATION Street star Tracie Bennett has worried fans after she was rushed to hospital and ‘nearly lost her finger’.
Tracie, who is known for playing Sharon Gaskell in Corrie, found herself in A&E after her index finger ballooned in size due to a serious and painful infection.
The actress, 63, ended up having an operation on her hand – but not before she had complained about the waiting time at her local hospital.
Writing on X, formerly known as Twitter, Tracie first told fans about her infection while sitting in the waiting room.
She said: “Let’s count the hours from now of how long I’ll be in A&E with a seriously infected finger.
“Been on antibiotics since Monday but they haven’t worked. Ouch. Haven’t slept properly. Hoping it’s not long. Torture. Place your bets.”
Sharing a selection of gruesome photos, she added: “Being seen. Finally. All a nightmare.
“An x-ray and now they can’t even take blood cos they don’t know how or what they’re doing? Why? Just lance it? Hours of Agony.”
Hours later, Tracie continued: “So, they’re trying yet again to take my blood. Then sending me home with mega tablets &have to come back tomorrow to sign forms, natch, then a hand surgeon is going to deal with it all.
“Am delirious. Such wasted hours. Thanks mates. We battle on. Hope it doesn’t happen to you.”
Tracie returned to A&E the following day and was told she needed immediate surgery on her hand.
Lying on a bed in a hospital gown, she explained she was “very scared” and claims she could have lost her finger.
Tracie had, however, softened towards the hospital staff who were treating her.
“Update. Thank you all so very very much. Was very scared,” she again wrote on X.
“Going into hand surgery in 30 mins. Got my sense of humour back, thanks to the hilarious trolls &the arrow drawn on my hand! Like it’s not obvs what is wrong?”
Once the operation was over, she warned: “Thanks so much for asking, everyone.
“Mother & finger are doing fine. Just. Nearly lost it for a moment there.
“Had been given the wrong antibiotics from my GP. So please listen to your instincts &go to be seen immediately if you have any pain or infection. Don’t wait. Ta.”
Fans who had been closely following Tracie’s tale were quick to send her their best wishes for a quick recovery.
One wrote: “Sending all the love Tracie! Hoping for a swift recovery…Rest, recuperate and relax xxx.”
Another added: “It’s awful you had to go through all that! I’m glad to hear you’re on the mend.
“And with you 100% on not waiting if something’s wrong. Wishing you a speedy recovery.”
Tracie Bennett trained at the prestigious Italia Conti Academy Of Theatre Arts after leaving school.
Her first major television role was playing Sharon Gaskell on Coronation Street in 1982. Tracie reprised the role in 1999 and 2021.
In 1989, Tracie played the part of Shirley Valentine’s daughter Millandra in the smash hit film, Shirley Valentine.
Tracie is, however, best known for her theatre career.
The actress has won numerous accolades, including two Olivier Awards for Best Supporting Role in a Musical. These were for her 1994 part as Ilona Ritter in She Loves Me and her portrayal of Velma Von Tussle in Hairspray in 2007.
Last year, Tracie starred in two plays; How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying at the Southwark Playhouse in London and Here We Are, which ran at The Shed in New York City.
Tracie has also starred in countless television shows over the years, including The Bill, Casualty, Scott & Bailey, Doctors and The Bay.
A third chimed in: “Been following this since your first post on it.
“What a terrifying experience for you. Glad you are now on the mend. Always trust your instinct.”
Tracie first appeared at Weatherfield in 1982 as the foster child of Rita and Len Fairclough.
She left Corrie the same year, but quickly returned for a brief stint where her character Sharon learned Len had died in a car accident.
After only a few days, Sharon left again for what would the first of two long hiatuses from the show.
The character returned in 1999 and then again for her brief 2021 appearance on the cobbles.
Sharon made a comeback in 2021 to stop Leanne Battersby from testifying against her drug dealer nephew Harvey.
Alongside Corrie, Tracie’s other TV credits include, hospital drama Casualty, Heartbeat and Next Of Kin. She has also enjoyed a long and successful career on the stage.
