This Musician Was a Hitmaker as a Child & Suffered a Stroke on Stage Years Later – See Him Now

He spent his childhood in the public eye, moving from studios to stages across countries. As he grew older, the attention brought with it scrutiny over his appearance and the pressure to keep performing. A health emergency during a stage production would eventually bring his career to a stop.

Since then, he has taken a different path, shaped by recovery, family life, and new creative interests. The road there began decades earlier, with a chart-topping debut that made him a standout even among his well-known siblings.

He was the youngest of nine children in a well-known musical family. But by the time he was nine years old, he had carved out his own identity as a solo performer. In 1972, he became the youngest person to ever reach number one on the UK Singles Chart with the novelty pop song “Long Haired Lover from Liverpool.”

The single was released under the name “Little” Jimmy and became a major hit, cementing his place in pop history. His early popularity wasn’t limited to the UK. In Japan, he gained a devoted fan base and was affectionately known as “Jimmy Boy.”

He followed up his first single with more UK hits, including “Tweedle Dee” and “I’m Gonna Knock On Your Door.” During this time, he also continued recording and performing with his older siblings, maintaining his role as both a solo act and a member of the family group.

His early success came with a demanding schedule. As a child performer, he was doing over 100 shows a year, often traveling between cities while maintaining appearances on stage and television. Much of his time was spent performing in Las Vegas, where long-running engagements became part of his routine.

During these years, his eating habits reflected the fast-paced lifestyle. He later recalled regularly indulging in grilled cheese sandwiches, Monte Cristos, and orange freezes between shows. Over time, the effects became visible.

He described himself as “always a little chubby,” and admitted that people sometimes made fun of him. , especially at a young age, had a lasting effect on him. “It was hard on my self-esteem—and hard on my body as I got older and heavier,” he explained.

As he continued performing into adulthood, the physical toll of those early years began to surface. In 2004, during a live performance, he experienced what would later be identified as a transient ischemic attack — a type of mini-stroke.

While on stage, he suddenly felt a “pop” in his head and lost most of his vision, retaining only a small “pin” of sight. He initially believed he was having a migraine and, despite the symptoms, drove himself home after the show. It wasn’t until he underwent an echocardiogram that doctors diagnosed the real cause.

It was discovered that he had a congenital heart defect known as a patent foramen ovale — a hole in the heart that hadn’t closed properly after birth. The defect had allowed a blood clot to reach his brain, triggering the transient ischemic attack.

He underwent surgery at the University of Utah to repair the defect. Although the operation was successful, he continued to experience numbness and other lingering symptoms for nearly ten years after the event. The incident became a warning he couldn’t ignore.

After the surgery, he began making long-term changes to improve his health. At one point, he said it had become difficult just to get out of a chair, but he wanted to be able to kick a soccer ball with his kids. Motivated by his family and faith, he gradually restructured his lifestyle, cutting out bread, sugar, and dairy from his diet.

He also began taking a nutritional supplement and reported losing 36 pounds. Food had once served as an emotional outlet, but he said he had stopped thinking about it that way. He added that he needed a greater reason outside himself to make real changes. “I very much want to set the right example for my children,” he explained.

Although he had never enjoyed gyms or intense workouts, he took up walking as a regular activity. “Since I’ve lost weight, I have energy and I’m moving more,” he shared. He also admitted to being an “ice creamaholic,” saying he once ate it every night but now only has it occasionally.

Alongside his entertainment career, the singer built an extensive portfolio as a producer and entrepreneur. As President of Osmond Entertainment, he worked as an executive producer on projects for major television networks. He also financed a range of live events, including large-scale concert tours and stage productions in Las Vegas.

He also owned and operated production studio facilities and live performance theaters for more than 25 years. One of his major acquisitions was the Andy Williams Moon River Theater in Branson, Missouri, which became a central hub for his productions.

In Utah, he took on an additional leadership role as Chairman of the Board for Osmond Real Estate and Development. He also devoted time to charitable work, serving on the Board of Trustees for the Children’s Miracle Network.

While on the board, he played a role in raising billions of dollars to support children’s hospitals in the United States and Canada. Outside of business, he also advocated for children’s literacy, a cause he supported actively alongside his family work.

Additionally, he remained active on television and in musical theater. He took on a variety of roles in stage musicals and British pantomimes, often performing in productions that became holiday traditions. His work on stage spanned both the United States and the United Kingdom.

On television, he made notable appearances on reality shows. In 2005, he joined the cast of “I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!,” bringing his name to a new generation of viewers. More than a decade later, in 2016, he competed on “Celebrity Masterchef,” further extending his presence on British television.

He also appeared on numerous other television programs over the years, often revisiting his musical past or participating in family-centered specials. On December 27, 2018, while performing as Captain Hook in a production of “Peter Pan” at the Birmingham Hippodrome, he suffered a stroke.

According to his spokesperson, he completed the evening’s performance before being driven directly to the hospital, where he was diagnosed. The incident came during the busy panto season, and no additional details about his condition were released at the time.

His spokesperson confirmed that he would be taking time out in the new year. Darren Day was brought in to replace him in the role. Fiona Allan, Chief Executive of the Birmingham Hippodrome, described him as a valued part of the cast, noting that his performance had won the admiration of both staff and audiences.

“Everyone here at Birmingham Hippodrome has been deeply saddened to hear of Jimmy’s sudden illness,” she stated. “We all send Jimmy and his family very best wishes for a speedy recovery.” Following the 2018 stroke, he retired from performing and stepped away from public life.

He began focusing on painting, a passion he returned to during recovery. In a video posted after his stroke, his wife, Michelle, publicly thanked those who had offered support, saying their family had witnessed what she described as a miracle.

She also acknowledged the prayers they had received, expressing gratitude on behalf of the entire family. According to his nephew, Nathan Osmond, he has since been enjoying life as a family man. The boy behind the story was none other than Jimmy Osmond, the youngest member of the famous Osmond family.

Away from the spotlight, he and his wife Michelle raised four children: Sophia, Zachary, Wyatt, and Bella. In a 2011 interview, he described Sophia as level-headed and dependable, joking that she was such a good kid he had to encourage her to “go do something wrong.”

Zachary, whom he called his “mini-me,” and Wyatt, a redhead like their grandmother, were both described as creative. Bella, the youngest, had faced medical challenges including speech delays and seizures. Jimmy has spoken openly about his role as a parent, describing himself as more of a “soft touch.”

Michelle is the one who maintained structure and discipline in their home. They both made a point to back each other up in parenting decisions, and Jimmy emphasized the importance of apologizing when he made mistakes. “I think it’s important that they see that Daddy’s not always perfect, but I’m trying my best,” he shared.

Even in retirement, Jimmy continues to receive messages from fans who followed his journey from childhood through his adult career. Posts and video appearances featuring him often draw supportive comments, reflecting the long-lasting connection his audience feels.

“You’re my idol,” one admirer wrote. Another commented, “A really lovely man. God be with you,” while one person shared, “You have made a lot of hearts sing today ❤ you are always in our thoughts.” Though he no longer performs, the impact of his work and the loyalty of his fans continue to follow him into retirement.