Celebrities

Paul Sinha Reveals He Had Two Heart Attacks at Edinburgh Fringe and Carried On Performing Anyway

Published on June 25, 2025

Paul Sinha, best known for his role on The Chase, has shared a jaw-dropping story about suffering not one but two heart attacks during his 2023 run at the Edinburgh Fringe and deciding to just quietly take a cab to hospital rather than cause a fuss.

The 55-year-old comic appeared on Good Morning Britain and opened up about what happened during what he called a “wild show” – one centred on his life as a gay, disabled son of immigrants. He said, “It was quite a political show, and it was a big show. I was in a room with 400 people and it all got on top of me”, reported Metro.co.uk.

Paul revealed that the first heart attack struck during a meet and greet moment with Levi Roots. Rather than raise the alarm, he made a discreet exit. “I didn’t want to cause a scene. I didn’t want to call an ambulance. I thought I might as well just get into a cab to take me to the nearest hospital as quick as possible, which is what I did.”

He wasn’t properly diagnosed at the time and was sent home. It wasn’t until a second heart attack in week three of the festival that doctors confirmed what had happened. “They said, ‘These have been two small heart attacks,’” he recalled. When he asked if he could continue his shows, he was told, “We’re not going to tell you what to do.” So he kept going. In hindsight, he admitted, “Looking back on it, that’s not the right thing to do.”

Still, he said he understood why he made that decision, citing the financial hit he’d have taken by cancelling part of his Fringe run.

While many people know Paul for his razor-sharp quizzing on ITV, his stand-up career spans over 30 years. In 2019, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological condition. He’s since made the illness a part of his act, using it to bring humour to difficult personal experiences.

“I do lots of jokes about it. It’s as simple as that,” he said. “You deal with the cards you’ve been dealt, and if you’ve been given a comedy goldmine, as Parkinson’s is, then you deal with it.” He joked that there weren’t many other Fringe comedians tackling neurological degeneration, so he might as well make the most of it.

Despite everything, Paul continues to use his platform to speak frankly about his health, and his ability to find humour in even the most serious situations is what fans love about him.

The NHS urges anyone experiencing chest pain, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, or any signs of a heart attack to call 999 immediately. Acting quickly can save lives. If you’re waiting for help and are not allergic to aspirin, slowly chewing and swallowing one adult tablet can help improve blood flow to the heart.

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