The 6 signs of disabling Tudor disease that triggers ‘hot attacks' and deformities – as Josie Gibson reveals diagnosis

The Sun

23-04-2025

FOR centuries, gout has been shrugged off by many as a rich, wine-guzzling old man's disease.
And when Henry VIII was diagnosed, it became firmly entrenched in popular belief as ' a tudor disease '.
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The truth is, gout doesn't discriminate - it can strike anyone, regardless of gender, wealth, age, or lifestyle.
Around one to two in every 100 people in the UK are thought to have gout - and cases are on the rise.
The most recent data, from 2013 found the prevalence of people diagnosed with gout in the UK rose by 64 per cent between 1997 and 2012.
Obesity, fatty foods and fizzy drinks have been blamed.
One of these is TV personality Josie Gibson, who has recently opened up about suffering from the agonising ailment.
The This Morning presenter was diagnosed after filming Channel 5 travelogue Around The World In First Class where she sampled the delights of travelling in style.
"I thought gout was only for old men but I have been living quite a lavish life," Josie, 40, recalled.
"Before I filmed this show, I caught a lot of flights, I drank a lot of champagne, I ate a lot of rich food and I had little sleep. That's how I ended up getting gout."
Josie is one of many famous faces to have suffered from the condition in recent years.
In January, The Sun exclusively revealed Gavin and Stacey star, James Corden, had struggled with the illness,
Gok Wan reveals he's got gout during This Morning segment by wearing slippers
Meanwhile, TV personality Jack Whitehall spoke about developing pre-gout during a conversation with Jamie Laing on The Great Company podcast.
Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by excessive uric acid in the blood.
It causes tiny, needle-like crystals to form in the joints, triggering inflammation that leads to pain, swelling, and redness - most commonly in the big toe.
If left untreated, it can lead to joint deformities, kidney stones and even heart disease.
Josie confirmed she is now gout-free after returning to a less lavish diet.
"As soon as I stopped catching all the flights and started drinking a bit more water and less champagne, it levelled itself out," she said.
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There is no cure for gout, meaning people who have it are prone to flare-ups.
These flare-ups can be triggered by foods rich in purine (the substance that creates uric acid in the blood when broken down by the body).
This includes liver, anchovies, mackerel, dried beans and peas and yeast-rich drinks and foods, particularly beer.
Routine blood tests will usually identify excess levels of uric acid, which will alert doctors to the need for treatment.
But most people won't know they have gout until they suffer a sudden, painful flare-up.
Symptoms of the disease include:
Severe pain in any joint (usually the big toe, fingers, wrists, elbows or knees)
Red, hot or swollen skin over the affected joint. "Gout does not cause lasting damage to joints if you get treatment straight away" says the NHS
Warmth in the joint area
Chills and fever
Deformities
Hard lumps, called tophi, under your skin (can be painful)
According to the NHS, if you fear you have gout, you should see a GP straight away.
A recent study found that one in six sufferers of gout will experience another flare-up within 12 months.
These can be prevented by taking daily doses of urate-lowering therapy drugs, of which allopurinol is the most common (it is available under several brand names including Zyloric and Uricto).
The UK Gout Society also advises cutting down on foods rich in purine.
Drinking plenty of water helps flush uric acid from your body, reducing the risk of crystal formation in your joints, it adds.
Alongside this, lifestyle changes are necessary, such as stopping smoking, exercising more, and drinking more coffee.
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However, even drinking, eating and living 'well' is no guarantee of immunity.
A 2018 study, published in the British Medical Journal, suggests that genetics plays a more important role in the disease's development than diet.
If you find yourself in the grip of an agonising attack, the most important thing is to treat the affected joint with a great deal of tender loving care.
The Gout Society suggests resting the joint in an elevated position.
And while regular exercise is advisable once the flare-up has subsided, it is never, ever a good idea to try to run on a gouty foot.
The lesser known symptoms of gout
While gout is commonly associated with joint pain and swelling, there are several lesser-known symptoms that may not immediately be linked to the condition
Dr Hilary Jones, a TV medic shares the signs to watch out for:
Thick nails: Chronic gout can cause changes in the nails of the affected fingers or toes due to tophi – deposits of uric acid crystals under the skin. These deposits can result in discolored or thickened nails as they build up.
Erectile Dysfunction (ED): Men with gout are at a higher risk of developing erectile dysfunction, with studies suggesting they may experience more severe cases. This is thought to be related to the systemic inflammation and vascular problems associated with gout.
Pain at nightime: Gout attacks often occur at night, causing sharp, intense pain that disrupts sleep. Even outside of flare-ups, some individuals experience ongoing joint discomfort or sensitivity that worsens during the night.
Itchy or peeling skin around the joint: After a severe flare-up, the skin over the affected joint may peel or flake, often accompanied by itchiness. This happens as inflammation subsides and the body works to repair the damaged skin.
Chronic fatigue: Though primarily a joint condition, gout can leave sufferers feeling unusually tired or drained. Many report low energy or a general sense of malaise before or during an attack, further impacting their daily activities.