Diabetes Has Made Me More Resilient

EastEnders star Cerith Flinn tells Elizabeth Archer how he is able to manage his Type 1 diabetes during the coronavirus crisis and why the illness hasn’t stopped him from achieving his goals

- Elizabeth Archer

Being a Type 1 diabetic, EastEnders and Hollyoaks star Cerith Flinn knows he needs to be especially careful during the coronavirus pandemic.

People with diabetes are at an increased risk of becoming seriously ill. Diabetes UK recommends being vigilant about social distancing and checking blood sugar more often.

“I hope, like me, others can try and keep positive,” said Cerith, who lives in London with girlfriend Kirsty, 29.

After living with the disease for 23 years, he says he’s come to view diabetes as his “superpower”.

Cerith, who plays Gethin Pryce in EastEnders, added: “It’s a source of resilience that fuels me and helps me achieve my goals.”

Cerith’s life is non-stop as a soap actor. And managing his condition onset can be tough.

“It’s extremely fast-paced,” he explained. “Adrenaline makes your blood sugar go up, or nerves might bring it crashing down. I’m always anxious that I’m going to have a low, and slow the process down for the rest of the actors.

“In the past, I’d often have a gulp of glucose to reassure me. But that’s detrimental in the long term because the higher your blood sugar, the worse it is for your immune system.”