TOWIE star is rushed to hospital during filming after ignoring her worrying symptoms for 10 years
TOWIE star C hloe Meadows, 33, was rushed to hospital during filming after she ignored her worrying symptoms.
Chloe revealed she was so 'scared' of the doctors and the prospect of 'having any procedure done' that she ignored symptoms of a chronic inflammatory bowel condition for around 10 years.
Speaking on the Bedside Manners podcast with Dr Oscar Duke, Chloe said she had several health checks at the age of 26, 10 years after her symptoms first appeared.
Her mother also intervened and told her she should go to the doctor to get a blood test done as she looked 'grey'.
Following her blood test, Chloe was filming scenes for the popular reality series when she received several missed calls from her father, who then texted her to say a doctor had advised she should go straight to A&E because her 'blood was so low'.
From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop.
She said: 'I went to the hospital. I had to have all of these checks and these iron infusions, and that was where it started.'
Chloe also revealed she had suffered from probably her longest flare-up after filming a nerve-wracking scene on TOWIE.
Recalling how she first discovered blood in her stool at the age of 16, she said: 'I went to a college where I boarded when I was 16.
'I was staying away from home, and I was living in a student house, and there was blood down the toilet.
'I remember I told my mum, and I was like, "There's quite a lot of blood down the toilet. I'm not really sure what's going on," she was of course like, go to the doctors.
'I went to the doctors, and they said that I would have to have a colonoscopy, which is a camera into the bowel.
Chloe added: 'At this point in my life, I had never really ever been to the hospital. I'd never been sick. I'd never had any procedure or operation. I'd never been sedated.
'I'd never had anything, and the doctor referred me, and I got this letter, and this is awful, but I got this letter, and I just never went to the appointment because I was terrified.
She continued: 'Then I ignored it, and what would happen, which is what I realise now, is that I can go into remission, I can go into a flare-up in remission.
'It would stop for periods of time so that the blood would go away. I'd be like, "Oh, cool, it's gone away, I'm better. There's nothing wrong with me".
'I'd go through years where it wouldn't happen, and then it would happen again, and then it would stop again.
'I would probably lie to my mum about how much it would happen because she always pestered me about it, and I was like, "No, it's fine".
Chloe admitted she was scared of having any procedure done, adding: 'I was also scared of what they were going to tell me.
'I was just terrified, which is not really a reason not to go to the doctor, but I think that's just what I thought.
'I was young as well, so I would forget when there wasn't blood down the toilet, I would completely forget.'
According to the NHS website, Ulcerative colitis is a long-term condition where the colon and rectum become inflamed.
Symptoms include recurring diarrhoea, which may contain blood, extreme tiredness, loss of appetite and weight loss.
Some people with ulcerative colitis may go for weeks or months with very mild symptoms or none at all (remission), followed by flare-ups and relapses.
Treatment options include corticosteroids, immunosuppressants and surgery.
WHAT IS INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE?
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a medical term that describes a group of conditions in which the intestines become inflamed (red and swollen).
Two major types of IBD are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Ulcerative colitis affects the large intestine (colon) whereas Crohn's disease can occur in any part of the intestines.
Symptoms may include:
People of any age can get IBD, but it's usually diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 40.
The conditions are chronic and cannot be cured so treatment usually relies on medication and lifestyle changes to manage the symptoms, but may include surgery.
IBD is thought to affect some three million people in the US, over 300,000 Britons, and 85,000 Australians.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
44 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Love Island's Harry and Helena share a passionate smooch as they pack on the PDA in bed after sneaking off to the Hideaway
Love Island stars Harry Cooksley and Helena Ford shared a passionate smooch as they packed on the PDA in bed after sneaking off to the Hideaway together. Wednesday's episode saw the chaos continue after the previous day's couple-switching antics. Shakira was left furious at the end of Tuesday's episode when Harry flirted with Helena, just minutes before she unexpectedly smooched Blu in the Hideaway - with viewers branding her a 'hypocrite '. And Harry and Helena defied her fury as they continued their antics into the night, as they sneaked off into the Hideaway together before passionately kissing in bed. The scenes left viewers stunned, as they claimed the 'messy' moves reminded them of earlier Love Island seasons. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Fans wrote: 'Can't lie this is class it's good TV guys it's what we need,'; 'THAT HAPPENED SO SUDDENLY,'; 'This year they all don't give a toss about waiting n taking time. It's one man for himself,'; 'Finally some juicy drama! This is what we want to see not people playing it safe,'; 'Messy like the earlier seasons YESSSS 'I actually love this mess. Feels like the old days,'; 'It's gonna end in tears but I'm loving it he's playing a massive game.' Just days into the new series, the drama heated up as the stars left their respective partners for the infamous Hideaway. Viewers watched on as Harry, 30, told Helena to tap his foot on the way out before they made their late night exit. However, their secret escape was rumbled, with most of the islanders noticing their exit - including Shakira Khan, who was sleeping next to Harry. Night vision cameras captured the moment, as Shakira watched the pair depart with a emotionless expression. Fans wrote: 'Can't lie this is class it's good TV guys it's what we need,'; 'THAT HAPPENED SO SUDDENLY' Previously, the Hideaway was invite-only, where islanders could enjoy a romantic night of passion together. However, for the 12th series, producers have ripped up the rule break and opened the breakout room's doors 24/7. Elsewhere in Thursday's episode, Harry discovered that Shakira had shared a kiss with Blu Chegini in the Hideaway the night before. In a conversation with Dejon, he told him: 'You know he (Blu) kissed her (Shakira)?' Harry replied: 'No he didn't…I don't believe what I'm hearing.' Taking to X, formerly Twitter, viewers wrote: 'Shakira doesn't have a right to be mad at Harry when she's talking to Ben and Blu & also kissed Blu, I think she wanted to pick him last night,'; 'Harry inviting Helena to the hideaway, Blu and Shakira kissing in the hideaway after she was mad at Harry for touching Helena …. Omfgggg I LOVEEEEE this mess,'; In scenes which played out during tonight's show, viewers watched as cabin crew Helen Ford and Harry Cooksley snuck off A teaser clip from the highly anticipated episode shows Harry, 30, telling Helena to tap his foot on the way out of the bedroom 'Shakira: It's made me put my guard up. Shakira 10 minutes later.... [kissing gif],'; 'Shakira is mooooving maaad fam,Harry turn your head brudda your ting is eazyyy,'; 'Please I approve what shakira did. she's just a hypocrite for getting upset with Harry. They're not married abeg and Harry ain't it anyway. So let her do her worst.' Love Island fans are set to enjoy the X-rated sex scenes happening in the famous Hideaway for the very first time in five years, according to bosses' comments. 'If sex happens, we'll show it. The Hideaway will be open 24 hours,' Mike Spencer, Love Island's Creative Director said. He added: 'We need to keep the show fresh and exciting. After 10 years, the stats speak for themselves. The show will continue to thrive.' Although the usual play of Love Island is to couple up with one other person from the opposite sex - bosses are hoping for potential throuples in the villa this year as they ' tear up the rule book' and install new furniture to create drama. NAME: Sophie Lee AGE: 29 FROM: Manchester OCCUPATION: Motivational Speaker and Author WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is fun, spontaneous, who has a lot of jokes and who is attentive. At the moment I'm only finding ones draped in red flags and 'do not cross' signs IF YOU WERE THE CEO OF SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I'm the CEO of empowerment. I want women to feel beautiful and validated in themselves and feel their best self. NAME: Dejon Noel Williams AGE: 26 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Semi-pro footballer and personal trainer WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is beautiful on the inside and out, looks after themselves and is healthy CLAIM TO FAME? My dad being an ex-professional footballer. I've met all kinds of famous people through him. When I was younger it was weird because he was just my dad, but we'd go to a game and fans were asking for photos. I've met David Beckham, he was really nice. Megan Moore NAME: Megan Moore AGE: 25 FROM: Southampton OCCUPATION: Payroll specialist WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I'd like to meet someone who is tall, with a nice tan, nice eyes and a nice smile. He needs to have a good fashion sense and a really good, funny personality that I can get on with HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Bankrupt, right now. But we're going to make sales and get on that corporate ladder and be booming. Profits, profits, profits! NAME: Tommy Bradley AGE: 22 FROM: Hertfordshire OCCUPATION: Landscape Gardener WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A girl who is very ambitious, with a big personality, caring, but also someone that doesn't take themselves too seriously. I don't know if that's asking for too much, but I want a bit of everything. I haven't got a specific type in terms of looks, though. WHAT WOULD YOU BE CEO OF? Taking hours to do my hair NAME: Alima Gagio AGE: 23 FROM: Glasgow OCCUPATION: Wealth Management Client Services Executive WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A tall man with a handsome face. You know when you just look at a guy and they have that Disney prince look to them? That's it WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? I think she'd hire me because I'm a good flirt. I always ask guys on a night out to guess which country I'm originally from. If they get it right, they can get my number. But they never guess correctly so it works really well if you don't want to give a guy your number. I'm originally from Guinea Bissau. If they're close and I really fancy them, I'll give them my number anyway. NAME: Ben Holbrough AGE: 23 FROM: Gloucester OCCUPATION: Private Hire Taxi driver WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone sexy, good looking, good chat, good vibes, nice teeth and good eye contact - they're all the traits I look for. Oh, and also a cute smile, I just look at you and know I can be around you all day, every day. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Bankrupt. I'd have been out of business a long time ago. That's exactly why I'm here. NAME: Helena Ford AGE: 29 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Cabin Crew WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Somebody funny or Northern. I feel like Northern people have much more banter than Southerners. If you look through my previous dating history, you'll see I clearly go for personality. You can pretty much laugh me into bed. WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? I would say hire but then quickly fire soon after. It would only be a temporary contract. NAME: Megan Forte Clarke AGE: 24 FROM: Dublin OCCUPATION: Musical theatre performer and energy broker WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who doesn't take themselves too seriously and has a sense of humour. If they're not bad looking, that's always a plus. I love a boy that's a bit pasty, like Timothée Chalamet. I don't mind scrawny, or a bit of a 'dad bod'. I'm 5ft1 so any height really. CLAIM TO FAME? Me and my friends made a Derry Girls TikTok for Halloween and it went a bit viral around Brighton. Sometimes I get stopped in the street about it. I've also done Panto. NAME: Blu Chegini AGE: 26 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Construction Project Manager WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is family oriented, has a lot of love to give and a lot of love to receive. Personality goes a long way. WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? She'd fire me, but I've got the charm to smooth things over with a girl. The fact I speak fluent Spanish comes in handy when it comes to flirting! Shakira Khan NAME: Shakira Khan AGE: 26 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Construction Project Manager WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is tall, charming, witty, with big arms, a good smile and just really funny. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Booming, but they're all frogs. It's a busy love life but I've not found 'the husband', I'm looking for 'the one'. I'm looking for the ring. NAME: Harry Cooksley AGE: 30 FROM: Guildford OCCUPATION: Gold trader, semi-professional footballer and model WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? The girl next door that makes me laugh and can hold eye contact with me. I don't think I'd go for the most obvious girl, I like a real sweet girl. CLAIM TO FAME? I'm the body double for Declan Rice. So when he does a shoot, any body close ups will actually be me. You'll never see my face, but you'll see my shoulder or chest, that kind of thing. NAME: Conor Phillips AGE: 23 FROM: Limerick OCCUPATION: Professional rugby player WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?Someone who is really sure of themselves, ambitious, a bit of a go-getter and good craic. I like dark eyes and I don't mind a dominant woman. WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? Definitely hire. I ask girls if they want to go halves on a baby. It doesn't work, but it gets them laughing. It's an ice-breaker, not a serious question of course! NAME: Toni Laites AGE: 24 FROM: Connecticut OCCUPATION: Las Vegas Pool Cabana Server WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I'm looking for darker hair, definitely muscular but not too muscular. Super fit. Clean hair cut. Someone that can make me laugh - I'm super outgoing. And someone that's quite active. Maybe one day we could start our own family together. I WANT TO DATE A BRITISH GUY BECAUSE... I've lived in three different states and I'm still single. It's time to try something new! I have some British friends and they're pretty charming. I think all Americans love a good accent. British men are just more polite, with better manners. NAME: Kyle Ashman AGE: 23 FROM: Stafford OCCUPATION: Water operative WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone that's fun, confident and just themselves. I'd say I'd be hired. I just go with it, find something to compliment a girl on and go from there. NAME: Shea Mannings AGE: 25 FROM: Bristol OCCUPATION: Scaffolder WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? She needs to be bubbly and we need to have that initial spark. She needs to have a nice personality - like I think I have - so that we match together. Also, I have a little boy, so I'll be taking him into consideration with who I couple up with, too. WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? Definitely hire. I'm confident to go up and introduce myself and say, 'You look beautiful', to get a conversation flowing. NAME: Remell Mullins AGE: 24 FROM: Essex OCCUPATION: Self Improvement Content Creator WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A bubbly, confident, ambitious and fun girl. One feature that stands out to me is a nice smile, nice teeth and someone that can keep me on my toes. IF YOU WERE THE CEO OF ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I'm the CEO of flirting. Sometimes it's just unintentional.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Love Island fans beg producers to step in and remove lad after ‘disgusting' behaviour
LOVE Island fans have insisted that one Islander should be removed from the villa after his 'disgusting' behaviour. 30-year-old Harry has come under fire after his shock betrayal on the show after ditching partner Shakira in bed for a night of passion with Helena in the Hideaway. 3 3 But his antics have been slammed by viewers who have called upon show's producers to step in and have him removed from the villa. Many fans have been left unhappy with the way he disregarded Shakira's feelings and how he continued to say one thing to her and another to Helena as he attempted to bat their feelings off one another. Taking to X - formerly Twitter - one fan grumbled of Harry: "Harry is disgusting." A second went on to pen: "Harry's acting like this and hes…thirty?" Someone else wrote: "Harry.. you lie now but trust your time will come when movie night arrives. "Switching the script on every convo you have is gonna come back to BITEEEEE." "Harry is NOTTTTT the man i thought he'd be, he is a walking, talking RED FLAG," added a fourth. As another insisted both he and Helena should be removed for their antics, saying: "I want Helena and Harry OUT. Out NOW!!!! "Love island producer you know you see knocking the door b****!" In shock scenes tonight blonde air hostess Helena Ford, 29, and semi-pro footballer Harry Cooksley, 30, snuck off for some alone time - leaving their partners reeling. Watch the moment Love Island stars strip off and jump into bed after ditching their partners for the Hideaway The duo were seen planning their rendezvous earlier in the evening and Harry is seen telling Helena to tap his foot on the way out of the bedroom. A source previously told The Sun: 'This is the fastest sleepover in the Hideaway in Love Island's twelve series history - and what a gorgeous pair to do so. 'In the past, producers had to invite Islanders to use the breakout bedroom which meant the love nest was generally not used until couples became more established. 'But producers have changed the rules of the breakout bedroom so it can be used at any time, without an invite. 'It means Helena and Harry could take advantage of the 'no invite needed' and explore their connection. 'The scenes will play out later this week, but bosses are unlikely to show anything too naughty, as is the show's usual approach.' 3
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
How employers can help support Britain's ‘invisible army' of three million carers
EACH week, around three million people clock off from their jobs and start a second, unpaid, role as a carer. This unsung and often invisible army of helpers keeps the nation functioning, providing vital support to elderly or disabled family members and friends. 3 Estimates vary but between seven to nine per cent of the workforce also have caring responsibilities, with charity Employers For Carers saying that 59 per cent of these are women. Not-for-profit organisation Carers UK estimates that two-thirds of us will become a carer at some point in our lives, with up to 600 people a day quitting work to do this. However, juggling such responsibilities with work is a huge challenge. Studies show that 44 per cent of carers in employment have developed mental or physical health conditions, while a quarter have reduced their working hours in order to cope. It is Carers Week, with employers being urged to identify carers within their workforce and put support in place to retain them. Helen Walker, chief executive of Carers UK, said: 'It takes two years on average for someone to identify themselves as a carer. 'As a result, they often don't come forward for support in the workplace and can miss out on vital help. "This is why we encourage employers to raise awareness among managers and staff.' This year's Carers Week theme is Caring About Equality, highlighting that those looking after family members or friends face a greater risk of poverty, social isolation and poor mental and physical health. Helen added: 'One of the main drivers of poverty is the difficulty of combining paid work with unpaid care. 'We are urging more employers to go further in adopting more carer-friendly measures in the workplace and make a difference for those able to juggle work and care.' One of the main ways employers can support staff is with flexible working. Research from insurance agency the Phoenix Group found that two in five working carers would not have a job without flexible working. Alongside this, an increasing number of firms are offering paid carer's leave. While the Carer's Leave Act 2023 gives employees the right to five days of unpaid leave, Virgin Media O2 offers five paid days while the TSB gives 70 hours each year. Rumana Akthair is an IT security apprentice for Virgin Media O2 and a carer. She supports her dad who has mobility issues, a heart condition and diabetes, and also helps her mum, who is a carer herself and lives with arthritis. Rumana, 35, from London, said: 'Co-ordinating medication, attending appointments and managing day-to-day care requires flexibility, often during working hours. 'However, my employer is incredibly supportive, and with the flexibility afforded, the impact on my work is limited. 'We need broader recognition that caring comes in many forms and can include supporting friends, neighbours and extended family. 'The level of understanding and support has made a real difference, not just to my professional growth, but to my overall wellbeing.' Nisha Marwaha, a director at Virgin Media O2, said: 'Carers already have a lot on their plates and we want our people to be able to support friends and family without worrying about taking time off work or not getting paid. 'This support is vital to creating an environment where everyone can be their best at work and help their loved ones when they need them.' Find out more at HOW TO BE A CARE CONFIDENT EMPLOYER Encourage employees to identify themselves as carers. Include questions about caring in staff surveys or enable self-declaration through a self-service HR system or online form. lAsk carers about their support needs, including what type of help they would like in the workplace. lUse a clear definition of caring and carers – and include this in workplace policies to encourage take-up of support. Introduce a carer policy in your company or organisation, outlining in one place all the support available. Educate managers so they are equipped to identify and support carers in their team. Include caring in manager training and create a line-manager toolkit with guidance on what to do if an employee has caring responsibilities. PATERNITY LEAVE IS A DAD JOKE PATERNITY leave in the UK is the worst in Europe, according to campaign group The Dad Shift. New fathers are entitled to a fortnight off at £187.18 a week, though many firms pay more. 3 Mars UK was recently recognised as our most family-friendly firm, offering dads 26 weeks off at 90 per cent of normal pay. Ahead of Father's Day, Mars revenue management director Mike Shepard, dad to Sterling, four, and Conrad, seven months, shares his advice for firms to get it right. EVOLVE WITH THE PARENTING JOURNEY: From navigating school commitments to becoming a grandparent, the parenting journey spans decades, so flexibility isn't a one-time fix, it's a continuous dialogue. It's one thing having an enhanced parental leave policy, but leaders' active encouragement is key to removing any stigma. CHAMPION MEANINGFUL LEAVE: Business leaders can lead where policy lags by introducing enhanced time off and normalising fathers to take it. REDEFINE THE RETURN-TO-WORK EXPERIENCE: Coming back from parental leave isn't about 'slotting back in'. It's an emotional, mental and logistical adjustment. Start conversations early about flexibility, priorities and working style, leading with what will best suit a family's new reality. MAXIMISE PERFORMANCE AND WELLBEING: It's hard to support what you don't know, so encourage open dialogue. Vital to the success of my own team's productivity is them feeling safe voicing what works for them, whether it's flexible hours, hybrid working or changes in responsibility. USE PEER GROUPS TO DRIVE CHANGE: Internal parenting networks are powerful tools. Foster these groups to build a community and spark ideas that can drive meaningful change from within. LOVE ISLE IS A TITLE MYSTERY LOVE ISLAND, hosted by Maya Jama, is back on our screens and it is not just the hot bods grabbing our attention – but also their day jobs, and what they mean. Online searches for 'marketing engineer', 'payroll specialist' and 'energy broker' jumped more than 5,000 per cent last week, according to data from jobs forum RateMyApprenticeship. 3 Co-founder Oliver Sidwell says: 'Seeing someone on screen talk about a job you've never heard of sparks curiosity, and that's what we're seeing now. 'Roles like marketing engineer or energy broker are not on the radar for most school leavers, but should be. "These are well-paid, in-demand jobs and don't always require a university route.' IT'S BEST TO ASK … AND FAST JOB applicants should try to ask questions early in an interview to steer it in a direction that plays to their strengths. That is the advice from Dr George Sik, of psychometric testing firm Eras, as the number of job vacancies in the UK plunged to its lowest level in four years with just 781,000 up for grabs. As competition for positions intensifies, Dr Sik suggests good questions to put to your potential employer, which include, 'What are the most important goals for this role in the next six to 12 months?', 'What challenges or changes is the team currently navigating?' and, 'What makes someone exceptional in this role, as opposed to just good?' He adds: 'These questions show initiative and let you reframe the interview.' But leave it too long into the chat, and Dr Sik warns: 'By that point, it's too late to influence the direction of the conversation.'
