Ex-Premier League ace and dad of Strictly star Kai Widdrington suffers two strokes as shocked family rallies round
FORMER Prem star-turned-manager Tommy Widdrington is recovering well after suffering two strokes last week.
The 53-year-old has been supported by his loving family, including his Strictly Come Dancing star son Kai, after being rushed to hospital with a sudden illness on November 27.
Widdrington has been undergoing scans and tests since as part of treatment for two ischaemic strokes at Southend General hospital.
He is now manager of National League side Aldershot Town, having overseen 82 matches since joining them in April last year.
His eldest son Kai is a professional dancer on Strictly, while the youngest, Theo, plays for Aldershot.
Kai took to Instagram to send a touching message, writing: “Thank you to everyone who has sent their messages of love and support.”
Despite his dad’s ongoing health battle, Kai was strong enough to bag himself a Guinness World Records certificate following an intense showdown in the annual Pro Challenge this week.
He beat Neil Jones to the most Cha Cha Cha Time Steps executed in half a minute.
Meanwhile, Widdrington’s family have promised to “rally around” the patriarch.
An Aldershot club statement, on behalf of the family, read: “Being of good health prior to Wednesday, and historically in general, his response to this episode and the initial treatment has been very encouraging.
“He has made very good progress and is feeling and looking a lot better already.
“He returned home late Tuesday afternoon to begin further rehabilitation.
“He is very appreciative of all the messages of encouragement he’s received from all corners of the football world.”
It is not yet known when Widdrington will be well enough to return to the dugout.
His family added: “He also wants The Shots fans to know he has total faith in the staff and the players in his absence and looks forward to being back in the dugout when he’s deemed fit enough to do so.”
The statement continued: “Tommy’s wife, Sharon, and immediate family have of course rallied and will continue to support his recovery and hope and have made this statement in the hope that it will quash any possibility of misinformation being circulated.”
Meanwhile, son Kai was not paired with a celebrity contestant for the current 2024 series of Strictly and has only appeared in group performances.
Speaking to the Daily Star, Kai shared: “Everyone wants to get a celebrity. Unfortunately it wasn’t my time this series.
“Two boys couldn’t have one this series and sadly I am one of them. Some of us don’t get partners and that’s the way it is.”
He added: “Let’s see what happens next year. Hopefully I’ll get one then.”
The Strictly curse struck again when Kai and ex-girlfriend and fellow show dancer Nadiya Bychkova called time on their relationship in July.
The ex-couple are being plagued by rumours that things are frosty after reportedly refusing to stand next to each other on screen.
A source told The Sun: ‘It’s painfully obvious Nadiya and Kai are in the awkward post-break up phase and struggling to be near one another.
“When the pair are in the Clauditorium, they’re always on opposite sides. Although they may have big smiles on their faces when the cameras are running, it’s been very tense between them.”
Following Nadiya and Kai’s split it was reported bosses at Strictly were considering banning workplace romances due the tension backstage between the exes.
Meanwhile, dad Widdrington’s illness came just four days after his side’s 2-2 draw with Dagenham & Redbridge.
Aldershot host Wealdstone in the third round of the FA Trophy on Saturday.
And in his place, the club will be led by assistants Hugo Langton and Richard Dryden.
Newcastle-born Widdrington made his name as a midfielder with Southampton, who he joined as a kid in 1987.
After making his First Division debut in 1991, Widdrington become a big player for the Saints following their promotion to the Premier League a year later.
What is an ischemic stroke?
An ischemic stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked, cutting off blood flow and damaging brain cells.
Common symptoms of a transient ischaemic attack include your face dropping on one side, not being able to lift your arms, and speech problems.
It can also change how you think, feel and communicate. It’s the most common type of stroke.
It accounts for about 87 per cent of all strokes.
In total, he netted three goals in 90 games at St Mary’s.
Widdrington went on to star at other clubs including Grimsby, Port Vale, Hartlepool and Macclesfield.
He retired from playing in 2005 after a second spell at Port Vale.
But four years later, Widdrington returned to the beautiful as a manager with Salisbury City.
He has since taken charge of Hemel Hempstead, Eastbourne Borough and King’s Lynn – as well as two interim stints at Bristol Rovers.
Widdrington has been at current club Aldershot for 21 months, winning 32 of his 82 matches at the helm.
The Hampshire-based outfit currently sit 17th in the National League, with just one win in their last five games.
And they’ve conceded the second most goals in the league this season (33), three less than Boston United (36).
Son Theo, 25, currently plays for Aldershot, scoring one goal and providing one assist this term.