Alison Steadman I'm lucky to be alive

ALISON Steadman says she feels lucky to be alive after falling and fracturing her leg.

- ED GLEAVE

The Gavin & Stacey star, 78, tripped over while on a trip to Dubai in January and is convinced she narrowly cheated death.

The actress was injured so badly that she has been struggling to walk and is dependent on a wheelchair as she recovers.

She said: "If I had banged my head the way I banged my foot, I promise you, I would not be here.

"Every time I get fed up, I say that to myself. The important thing is that I'm alive."

Alison, who has had to turn down acting work, said: "I've been in a wheelchair for eight weeks. I am getting a bit frustrated. I want to get out and about more.

"But it means I can get around my flat. I can move around. Otherwise I would be in bed or sitting in a chair and I don't want that."

MEMOIR

Getting around in a wheelchair has given her an insight into what life is like for many disabled people.