When Ruth Codd appeared on Instagram Live from her hospital bed on November 26, 2025, her voice was steady—but her message shook the UK entertainment world. The 33-year-old actress, best known for playing Ilonka Elmont in Netflix’s The Midnight Club, confirmed she’d undergone a second amputation: her left leg, above the knee, removed on November 24, 2025, at University Hospital Northampton. This wasn’t a surprise to her medical team. After 17 years of battling osteosarcoma, the cancer had returned aggressively, this time in her left femur. And this time, saving the limb wasn’t possible.
From First Amputation to Second: A 17-Year Battle
Ruth’s journey with cancer began in January 2008, when she was just 16. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma at Northampton General Hospital, she underwent chemotherapy and, on July 12, 2008, had her right leg amputated below the knee at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust. Over the next seven years, she endured 12 reconstructive surgeries at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. By 2015, she’d completed intensive rehab at Stanford Hall in Leicestershire, emerging not just as a survivor—but as a vocal advocate."I’m proof disability doesn’t limit storytelling," she told BBC Three in March 2022. That line became a rallying cry. Since January 2023, she’s been a paid ambassador for Scope, the UK’s leading disability rights charity, earning £15,000 annually while using her platform to push for better representation. In March 2024, she donated £25,000 to the Teenage Cancer Trust—a gesture that echoed her own adolescent struggles in Coventry.
The Recurrence and the Decision
The cancer returned in September 2025, during filming for Celebrity Traitors Series 3 at Dragon International Film Studios in Margam, Wales. An MRI scan on September 18, 2025, at University Hospital Coventry revealed a suspicious lesion. Biopsy results on September 20 confirmed osteosarcoma recurrence. By September 23, Remarkable Entertainment suspended production—fully honoring her £125,000 salary during medical leave, as per her contract."Limb-salvage was no longer viable," confirmed Dr. Eleanor Margaret Vance, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust, in a statement issued November 26 at 16:45 GMT. The multidisciplinary team had reviewed her case on November 21. The decision wasn’t easy—but it was clear: amputation was the only path to prevent metastasis.
"After 17 years," Ruth said during her Instagram Live, "I thought I’d seen it all. But this… this felt different. I’m not angry. I’m ready."
Support, Prosthetics, and the Road Ahead
Within hours of her announcement, Blatchford Group Ltd—a leading UK prosthetics manufacturer based in Basingstoke—offered her the Linx Gen 3 microprocessor-controlled prosthetic system, free of charge for 24 months, starting December 1, 2025. "Ruth’s story inspires us," said Dr. Marcus Robert Finch, Blatchford’s Director of Clinical Services. "This isn’t charity. It’s partnership."Her recovery will unfold over 12 weeks inside University Hospital Northampton’s newly expanded £3.2 million amputee unit. Prosthetic fitting is scheduled for February 10, 2026. She’ll continue outpatient therapy beyond that, with physical milestones tracked weekly.
Netflix’s Priya Anjali Rao, Director of Original Series, responded within 24 hours: "We’re exploring Ruth’s return for Season 2, contingent on her recovery timeline." Meanwhile, her agent at United Agents confirmed ongoing talks with Channel 4 Broadcasting Ltd about resuming Celebrity Traitors.
Why This Matters Beyond Hollywood
Ruth’s next move isn’t just personal—it’s political. On December 15, 2025, she’ll testify before the UK Parliament’s Health and Social Care Committee on outdated NICE guidelines for sarcoma treatment. Currently, only 43% of UK sarcoma patients receive timely specialist referrals, according to a 2024 Cancer Research UK audit. Ruth’s case highlights delays in detecting recurrence, especially in young adults who’ve survived initial treatment."We treat cancer like it’s a one-time event," she told The Guardian in a private interview. "But for people like me, it’s a lifelong vigil. The system needs to catch up."
Her Instagram Live—viewed 2.4 million times in 24 hours—became a moment of collective catharsis. Comments flooded in from amputees, cancer survivors, and parents of children with bone tumors. "You’re not alone," read one. "You’ve been our voice," read another.
What’s Next?
Ruth’s memoir, Unbroken: My Journey Through Cancer and Disability, remains in print with HarperCollins Publishers Ltd. A documentary series on her life is in early development with BBC Studios. And while she’s not yet ready to return to acting, her presence on screen—whether through interviews, advocacy, or future roles—has already reshaped how disability is portrayed in British media.Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Ruth Codd need a second amputation after 17 years of being cancer-free?
Osteosarcoma has a high recurrence rate in young adults, especially when initial treatment involved limb-salvage surgery. Ruth’s cancer returned in her left femur in September 2025, and despite aggressive chemotherapy and radiation, the tumor became too large and invasive for preservation. Medical imaging showed micro-metastases in surrounding tissue, making amputation the only way to prevent spread to her lungs or other organs.
How does this affect disabled actors in the UK entertainment industry?
Ruth’s case highlights both progress and gaps. While Netflix and Channel 4 have shown support, only 5% of UK TV roles go to disabled actors, according to Scope’s 2024 report. Her continued employment during medical leave sets a precedent: studios must fund recovery, not just replace talent. Her upcoming parliamentary testimony could lead to mandatory disability-inclusive contracts in publicly funded productions.
What’s the Linx Gen 3 prosthetic, and why is it significant?
The Linx Gen 3 is a microprocessor-controlled knee system that adapts to terrain, stairs, and walking speed in real time using sensors and AI. It’s one of the most advanced prosthetics available in the UK, typically costing £28,000. Blatchford’s free 24-month provision means Ruth can regain mobility without financial strain—a rarity for NHS patients, who often wait over a year for similar devices. This could set a new standard for corporate partnerships in disability care.
What’s the timeline for Ruth’s return to acting?
There’s no official date. Prosthetic fitting is set for February 10, 2026, with full rehabilitation expected by April. Netflix is open to her returning for Season 2 of The Midnight Club, but only if her health permits. Her agent confirms discussions with Channel 4 about Celebrity Traitors, but filming would likely begin no earlier than June 2026. Ruth has said she’ll return when she’s ready—not when schedules demand it.
How common is osteosarcoma recurrence in adults?
Osteosarcoma is rare—about 500 cases annually in the UK—but 30–40% of patients under 25 experience recurrence, usually within five years. Ruth’s case is unusual because the recurrence occurred 17 years later, a pattern seen in fewer than 5% of survivors. Late recurrences often involve the lungs or remaining limb bones, making them harder to treat. Her case will be studied by the NICE sarcoma panel as a benchmark for long-term monitoring protocols.
What role did charity and advocacy play in her care?
Ruth’s work with Scope and the Teenage Cancer Trust gave her access to peer networks, psychological support, and funding for non-NHS therapies like specialized physiotherapy. Her public profile also pressured manufacturers like Blatchford to offer advanced prosthetics pro bono. Without her advocacy, she might have waited 18 months for the Linx Gen 3 under NHS criteria. Her story shows how visibility translates into tangible medical access.
