James Norton says he has to inject ‘up to 15 times a day’ because of type 1 diabetes

Actor is currently starring as Stephen Ward in ‘The Trial of Christine Keeler’

(Getty)

James Norton has spoken about how having type 1 diabetes affects him on a daily basis, emphasising that “being diabetic does not hold you back”.

The actor, who is currently starring as osteopath Stephen Ward in BBC1’s The Trial of Christine Keeler, was diagnosed with the condition more than a decade ago.

If someone has type 1 diabetes, their body does not produce any insulin, putting them at greater risk of suffering from health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness and issues with circulation.

Treatment for the condition requires daily insulin injections or pumps, something that Norton has had to become accustomed to.

“I have to inject every time I eat carbohydrates – up to 15 times a day, with 5mm needles you use discreetly,” he told The Times, adding that he was likely to inject at least once or twice during the interview.

“Also, I have this device called a Dexcom, a subcutaneous glucose monitor that Bluetooths my phone and tells me what my sugars are,” the Little Women star said.

“Before, I had to draw blood from my finger.”

When asked whether directors are hesitant to cast him for projects, Norton – who is rumoured to be in the running to replace Daniel Craig as James Bond – said they are not.

“Being diabetic does not hold you back,” he said. “It’d never hamper me, for example, in regards to any role, particularly physically.”

Norton said that it is a “lottery” whether any children he may have in future are likely to be diagnosed with diabetes.

While scientists have been unable to pinpoint exactly what causes type 1 diabetes, research has found that genetics is the most likely factor, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Both Norton’s sister and mother are also diabetic.

“Nobody knows what causes it, and hopefully my kids won’t have diabetes, but, if they do, they can live a very normal life,” he said.