Hollyoaks star Nikki Sanderson rushed to hospital after treadmill accident
The 41-year-old actress shared video of an 'epic treadmill fail' and urged fans not to attempt the stunt at home as she recovers from injuries.
Hollyoaks star Nikki Sanderson was rushed to hospital after a treadmill accident that ripped several layers of skin from her arms and knees and left her with a glued chin, she revealed in an Instagram post on Thursday. The 41-year-old actress shared a clip of the incident, warning fans not to try what she did at home as she recovers from the injuries.
In the video, Sanderson attempts to turn sideways on a moving treadmill but loses her footing and slams her face into the running belt, leaving her with a sore-looking, bleeding chin. She captioned the post with a warning to viewers, describing the moment as an epic treadmill fail and noting that the trip to the hospital followed the accident. 'TW: Epic treadmill fail... this one hurt,' she wrote, adding that the incident was entirely her own fault and not the treadmill's.
The mishap comes as Sanderson has been in the headlines for leaving Hollyoaks after a 13-year run as Maxine Minniver. In March, she revealed to The Mirror that stepping away from the Channel 4 soap was an incredibly tough decision, describing it as a process rather than a single moment and stressing that she was grateful for the stability she had built over the years. While she stressed that she isn’t done with acting, she indicated she would consider returning to soaps in the future, potentially even Coronation Street, where she previously played Candice Stowe. The actress also noted she hoped to explore other opportunities rather than remaining tied to one role.
Sanderson joined Hollyoaks in 2012 and quickly became a fan favorite, with storylines ranging from domestic abuse to sexual assault and a Munchausen’s syndrome diagnosis for her character. As her exit storyline looms, producers have promised a fitting send-off full of drama, though Sanderson has indicated the final scenes are still in development and she remains open to future projects outside the show.
Beyond Hollyoaks, Sanderson has appeared across British television, including stints on Coronation Street, Holby City, Heartbeat, and Casualty. Her on-screen work has earned her recognition, including a Best Actress win at the Inside Soap Awards in 2014, and multiple nominations from the British Soap Awards, TV Choice Awards, and NTAs. Fans following her Majorca holiday last month noted a different side of the actress as she shared vacation photos in bikinis and posed by the pool, but she did not describe the trip in connection with the treadmill incident.
The treadmill episode underscores the broader reality of a high-profile actor balancing personal misadventures with professional commitments. Sanderson’s public posture amid the incident—acknowledging fault, urging safety, and continuing to discuss her career plans—reflects a measured approach to a moment of personal injury that quickly became a talking point among fans and entertainment outlets. As she recovers, the industry will be watching how her next steps unfold, both in terms of potential return to the screen and any new opportunities she pursues outside of Hollyoaks.