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Topics: Grey's Anatomy, TV And Film, Health, Celebrity, Sex and Relationships
Mia Williams
Topics: Grey's Anatomy, TV And Film, Health, Celebrity, Sex and Relationships
Eric Dane's wife Rebecca Gayheart has opened up about calling off their divorce, revealing they are 'really close' amid the revelation of the actor's ALS diagnosis.
The Grey's Anatomy actor - who starred on the hit ABC medical drama as Dr Mark Sloan - revealed yesterday (10 April) he had been diagnosed amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Speaking to PEOPLE, Dane opened up about coming to terms with the diagnosis, which is a type of motor neurone disease which affects the brain and nerves, with symptoms getting worse over time and eventually leading to death.
According to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the illness typically has a prognosis of around three to five years, but some people live much longer than this. Steven Hawking was famously diagnosed with the illness at just 21 and lived until he was 76.
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While ALS symptoms usually begin with twitching and general weakness, as the condition develops, symptoms can become more severe - such as trouble swallowing and slurred speech.
"I have been diagnosed with ALS," the 52-year-old actor shared. "I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter."
Dane requested 'privacy' as he and his family try to navigate the sad news.
The star has two children, Billie Beatrice, 15, and Georgia Geraldine, 13, with his wife Rebecca Gayheart, who recently filed to dismiss her 2018 divorce from the actor.
The Los Angeles court is due to close the case and she opened up about their relationship just one day before Dane announced his diagnosis.
Speaking with E! News earlier in the week, Gayheart said the two are 'best friends'.
After calling off their divorce, she said: "We are really close. We are great coparents."
The 53-year-old added: "We really figured out the formula to staying a family and I think our kids are benefiting greatly from it and we are as well."
The American model also reflected on their marriage and why she doesn't believe their relationship is a 'failure'.
She said: "I think it’s important to not look at a relationship that ends as a failure. It's just a season.
"It wasn't a failure. It was a huge success."
Talking about perspective, the mum-of-two added: "We were married for, I mean, we are still married, but together for 15 years and we had two beautiful kids so I think that's a successful relationship, and that's how we look at it."