‘It’s been really painful, ’ the actor shared updates from his hospital bed after undergoing an operation following an injury he suffered earlier this year.
Former EastEnders actor ‘in a lot of pain’ following surgery
Former EastEnders star Matt Lapinskas has revealed he’s recovering from shoulder surgery after suffering a painful injury that’s left him struggling for months.
The actor, best known for playing Anthony Moon on the BBC soap, shared several videos from his hospital bed on Wednesday, updating fans as he prepared to go under the knife and again after the operation.
Matt, 35, explained in one clip that while this year had been an ‘amazing’ one overall, things took a turn earlier in the spring when he hurt his shoulder.
‘It’s been really painful,’ he told fans in a video filmed beside his hospital bed. ‘Today is the day I get shoulder surgery,’ he added, appearing calm but clearly apprehensive about the procedure ahead.
A few hours later, he returned to Instagram Stories looking tired but relieved, confirming that the surgery had been a success. ‘Hey team, out of surgery now. Very drowsy, but success,” he said. “I’m still here. In a lot of pain, but it’s all good.’
Unfortunately, Matt later told fans that things hadn’t gone quite as smoothly as hoped. In a follow-up update, he revealed that he had been forced to stay overnight in the hospital because of the level of pain.
‘The pain has got very bad, so I’m having to stay in overnight,’ he explained. ‘Keep getting hot and cold sweats and stuff, so they’re just going to monitor me tonight. I’m still okay. It’s all good. It went well.’
Despite feeling rough, Matt tried to keep his spirits up, reassuring fans that he was being well looked after and staying positive.
He continued: ‘I saw the surgeon after and he said it was very manky but he’s cleaned it up and yeah, just in a bit of pain, but we’re gonna push through. My lovely wife’s just gone out to get me some bits and bobs and then I will be trying to get some sleep. I don’t think I’m gonna have much sleep with this,’ he joked before thanking everyone for their kind messages.
From Albert Square to the ice rink
Matt became a household name when he joined EastEnders in 2011 as Anthony Moon, the son of Eddie Moon. Anthony was introduced alongside his brother, Tyler Moon and quickly became one of the Square’s more charming characters, though his gambling habit often got him into trouble.
His character left Albert Square in 2012 after a dramatic year filled with family feuds, love interests, and money woes. Despite his short time on the soap, Matt made a strong impression on viewers and remains fondly remembered by fans of the Moon family era.
After leaving Walford behind, Matt swapped soap drama for sequins when he signed up for Dancing On Ice in 2013. He wowed audiences with his skating skills, reaching the final and finishing as runner-up alongside professional skater Brianne Delcourt. The experience cemented his reputation as one of the show’s standout contestants and showed a different side to the actor’s talent.
Life after EastEnders
In the years since, Matt has continued to work steadily in both television and theatre. In 2022, he appeared in Hollyoaks as Alex Ramsden, a criminal character that showcased his ability to take on darker, more intense roles. He’s also performed in stage productions and musicals.
Away from the screen, Matt lives a quieter life with his newly married wife, Karina Hind. The pair often share glimpses of their relationship on social media, from light-hearted videos to loved-up selfies, and it’s clear she’s been a huge support during his recovery.
Matt hasn’t shied away from describing just how tough it’s been, admitting that the discomfort has made it hard to sleep. Yet through it all, he keeps a positive outlook, reassuring fans that the operation has gone well and that he is determined to ‘push through.’
Fans have continued to send their well wishes online, praising the actor for being so candid and wishing him a speedy recovery. Although he hasn’t shared when he’ll be fully back on his feet, it’s clear he’s focused on healing and staying positive in the meantime.
