British actor Nick Moran’s friend has asked fans to send prayers after the Harry Potter star was rushed to hospital for surgery with a condition described as “life-threatening.”

Moran was seen lying in a hospital bed in intensive care in a photo previously shared to social media (but later deleted) by his friend Terry Stone, who wrote:

“Nick was been rushed into hospital this week for a life saving operation which may mean he may never talk or walk again.”

Later Stone added:

“News update for you all on Nick Moran. He’s had major surgery and is recovering in the ICU he’s giving us the thumbs up but still needs your support, prayers & love. Let’s pray he fully recovers and is back to normal soon.”

Stone added: “We did a fantastic podcast together a few months back…. If there are any further updates on Nick I will let you all know in the live chat this coming Sunday.”

Stone shared with the Daily Mail newspaper that Moran had been persuaded to visit hospital by his girlfriend after he experienced a pain in his neck. Stone said: “Nick’s girlfriend was saying ‘You’ve got to get it checked out’ but as a bloke he said ’No I’ll put some deep heat on it’ then he went to the doctors and got sent to A&E and told, ‘We need to take you in for an emergency operation because this is life threatening.’”

Moran is now recovering at home from the surgery.

The actor is best known for his role of Scabior in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. He also appeared in Guy Ritchie’s gangland drama Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, as well as Another Life, The Musketeer, Nemesis, Boogie Man and New Blood.

The star grew up on east London and made his first hit film appearance in the 1990 film Buddy’s Song.