How Ryan Reynolds helped Wrexham star’s wife escape ‘living nightmare’ as Antony Forde’s family pay tribute to ‘normal’ Hollywood superstar

Within days of welcoming son Paddy into the world, Laura Forde was informed that she had an inoperable brain tumour after going for a routine MRI scan. It was claimed that the tumour was malignant and that she may only have a matter of months to live. Wrexham co-owner Reynolds then helped Forde and his partner to get a second opinion, with another neurosurgeon delivering a more optimistic assessment following another biopsy – with it revealed six weeks later that the tumour was in fact benign and the initial diagnosis had been wrong.

Laura Forde has told the Sunday Times of an emotional and scary period for all concerned: “We said then we didn't want to know how long. Paddy was four weeks old and I am being told basically that I may not see my son turn a year old. No word of a lie, I was planning my funeral as I was doing those night feeds. I was crying silently. It was a really low time. A living nightmare. It was a very low time. In the first few months after giving birth, a woman is severely all over the place hormonally, not to mind getting this landed on me. Emotionally, it was just a roller coaster. I was initially in shock and disbelief. I was in such a vulnerable place that I felt I should be happier about this. But I had just been through the worst seven weeks imaginable with my newborn baby. I have PTSD as a result. I am going to counselling. I am not ashamed to say that.”

The Fordes saw their story covered on the ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ documentary series, with Anthony adding his voice to those singing the praise of Reynolds and his fellow co-chairman Rob McElhenney – who have committed fully to helping the local community on and off the field. Forde said: “They are such normal people and there is not a chance that they would do this for publicity. They don't need it. I remember saying to Ryan 'I can't thank you enough' and he said, 'People have helped me too.'”

Forde took a much-needed break following his wife’s initial diagnosis, but returned to action in time to play an important role in Wrexham’s National League title-winning campaign. He has remained a regular in Phil Parkinson’s plans this season as the Red Dragons take aim at securing promotion into League One.