Louis Walsh’s pals open up about ‘frail’ star after 71-year-old revealed shock cancer battle on Celebrity Big Brother
LOUIS Walsh's pals have opened up about the 'frail' star after he revealed his shock cancer battle on Celebrity Big Brother.
During Friday's episode of the ITV reality show, Louis, 71, shocked his housemates by revealing he had secretly battled cancer during the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown.
Asked about how he fared during the pandemic, Louis said: “I was sick, and I think nobody knew I was sick. I had cancer. A mild version, a rare one.
"In my blood, I didn’t even know that I had it until I went to the hospital, and then they checked me, checked me, checked me, then they found it. They said it’s a rare one.”
Now, pals close to the former X Factor judge have shared more details about his illness and his reasons for signing up for Celebrity Big Brother.
They told The Mirror: "Louis is in remission currently but you can see how frail he is and that he has lost a lot of weight.
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"It's also the reason why he's sleeping so much, it all took a lot out of him."
They continued: "The whole experience was the main driver behind signing up for the show. He'd been really ill and just wanted to enjoy life again and thought "what the hell".'
"It's little wonder he has decided to immerse himself in the Celebrity Big Brother house. It's almost as a reaction to what has happened.
"It was quite the ordeal, not least as the cancer is so rare that it took a while to get diagnosed."
Louis explained to his housemates how he had Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia, a rare type of blood cancer.
The condition sees some white blood cells undergo changes that turn them into cancer cells.
The revelation moved his housemates, including TV chef Levi Roots and reality star Ekin-Su Culculoglu, to tears.
Louis then revealed medics were able to “clear up” the cancer.
Ekin-Su asked: “Did it affect you mentally?”
Pointing to his head, Louis replied: “It did, I gotta be honest with you. It’s just up here, even when I go past a hospital I almost get sick.
"It’s all gone, I’m fine. It was just the shock of being sick and that word… nobody wants that word.
“I have it blocked out, a reality check, you see so many people sick and it’s terrible.
“In my world it was all about pop music and all that. I didn’t think of anybody getting sick or anything like that.
What are the symptoms of blood cancer?
Blood Cancer UK found in a survey that 56 per cent of people can’t name a single symptom of the disease, which is diagnosed 40,000 times a year in the UK.
But it is the third biggest cancer killer in the UK, taking the lives of around 15,000 people every year.
Blood Cancer UK found in a survey that 56 per cent of people can’t name a single symptom of the disease, which is diagnosed 40,000 times a year in the UK.
Blood cancer symptoms vary depending on the type of blood cancer.
But generally, Blood Cancer UK warn of the following:
Weight loss that is unexplained
Cancer cells and the body’s reaction to them can alter the body’s metabolism and reduce muscle and fat.
Bruising or bleeding that is unexplained
This is a result of low platelets, as they help the blood to clot. A patient may notice tiny little red or purple dots under the skin that looks like a rash, bleeding from the gums or nose, heavy or prolonged periods and blood in urine or faeces.
Lumps or swellings
Lumps are caused by an abnormal amount of white blood cells building up in the lymph glands, found in the neck, armpit and groin.
They can also be inside the body and press on organs, causing pain or breathlessness (if against the lungs).
Shortness of breath (breathlessness)
Breathlessness is a result of having anaemia, when the red blood cell level is low. Red blood cells carry oxygen around the body, so if you don’t have enough red blood cells, you can become anaemic.
Tiredness that doesn’t improve with sleep (fatigue)
Anaemia can cause tiredness that doesn’t go away with rest or sleep.
Unusually pale complexion (pallor)
A pale complexion is also a result of anemia. Other symptoms of anaemia include feeling faint and headaches.
Drenching night sweats
If you wake up in the night drenched in sweat, it could be a result of blood cancer. Some people with lymphoma get this, but it’s not yet known what causes this.
Infections that are persistent, recurrent or severe
Because of the low level of white blood cells, the body finds it hard to fight infections. It can mean a patient often has symptoms like chills or shivering, coughing or a sore throat.
Fever (38°C or above) that is unexplained
Fever may be one of the symptoms of repeated infections.
Rash or itchy skin that is unexplained
Some people diagnosed with a blood cancer report they had an all-over itch. But there is no visible rash or dry skin. It’s not known why this occurs.
Pain in the bone, joints or abdominal
Myeloma can cause pain in any major bones such as the back, ribs or hips. There may also be stomach pain, bloating or swelling, or occasionally pain. Some patients feel full after eating only a small amount.
“And that was like wow, reality check, you’re in the real world.”
Another source told The Sun yesterday: "He has spent the last five years at home in Dublin with lockdown and this health battle and it’s given him a reality check on life.
“He just wanted to have some fun.
“Sharon Osbourne was aware of his struggles, but beyond his family no one else knew.
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“But his family are happy he felt comfortable enough to open up to Levi and Ekin on this, and start to show his softer side."
Celebrity Big Brother airs on ITV1 and is available on ITVX.