Latest news with #JoJoyner
Daily Mail
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EastEnders star Jo Joyner, 48, fears menopause will affect her acting career amid her struggle with brain fog - following a secret hysterectomy
Jo Joyner has candidly opened up on having surgical menopause following a secret hysterectomy. The former EastEnders star, 48, revealed on Kate Thornton's White Wine Question Time podcast that she underwent a hysterectomy in the last few years because she had too much oestrogen, which resulted her getting early menopause. Surgical menopause occurs when both of your ovaries are removed using a surgical approach (called a bilateral oophorectomy)or when a hysterectomy removes the ovaries before you've gone through a natural menopause. This causes a sudden onset of the menopause after the surgery. Jo, who played Tanya Branning in the BBC soap, admitted she is 'scared' if the menopause will affect her acting career amid her struggle with brain fog. She explained: 'Part of the reason that I ended up having a full hysterectomy was because I had too much oestrogen. 'I had almost the opposite problem of most people. So I'm now a year past that, I have only just started to need to take oestrogen because my reserves are so big. Can you believe it?' She added: 'I think your average GP would have just thrown oestrogen at me with some of my symptoms. And actually it kind of doubled the problem. 'It wasn't until I did the Dutch hormone test mapping, which showed me a little arc of all my hormones. 'And I went, 'oh, my gosh, that makes sense'. I went to my naturopath and she said, I can't treat you. This oestrogen is off the chart. You need to go and see the doctor. There's something going on. And she was right. 'There was you know, Endo adenomyosis all of this was going on. But what it means is I'm a good year and a half past that and it's [menopause] all just starting to happen now. 'Literally yesterday I spent an entire day every time I walked into a room or a cupboard stood there thinking, I don't know what I've come here for. What did I come here for? 'Well, I don't know, but it amazes me how quick it can happen.' She added: 'Luckily it's not affecting my work. Luckily I can get my lines in. I think that must be scary when that starts happening. 'It's interesting because as I've got older, I'm in that area and I'm not 50 yet and I'm having a surgical menopause. So I'm kind of too young for this, I like to think.' Amid her busy work schedule, Jo - who stars in the upcoming Paramount show Little Disasters - went to a retreat for a week to rest and reset. She said she was recommended to go on the retreat by her former co-star and close friend Tamzin Outhwaite. Jo explained: 'It's been a funny old year. I had my surgeries and then I went off to Malta, and then I came back and went to Budapest in Richmond, and then I went straight into Shakespeare and Hathaway in the September. 'There was never more than a week or so between jobs. I was sort of spat out again at the end of February this year, after finishing Shakespeare and Hathaway. 'And I thought, well, it's time to take stock of this radical surgery that I've had and this menopause I must be in and all of that and have a bit of time for me. 'And inspired by our very own Tamzin Outhwaite, who's obviously got her own project, We Free Women, wonderful project for retreat. 'For women, inspired by her because she had been on retreats and a year previous when we were in Malta, she kept saying to me, 'you need to go on a retreat. You need to go and have some time for yourself to heal and look at your new body and see what it can do, you know?'. 'Still I was a year on and I still hadn't. I was pretty much exhausted, I will say. It felt incredibly indulgent and selfish. But I went away for a week to a retreat, my first ever retreat on my own.' WHAT IS A HYSTERECTOMY? A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a woman's uterus. There are three kinds: The operation is most commonly performed on women between the ages of 40 and 49. More than 20 million American women have had a hysterectomy, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As women approach menopause, the odds that they will develop one of several serious uterine health conditions increases. Doctors may recommend a hysterectomy as a treatment for: fibroids endometriosis uterine (endometrial) cancer chronic uterine pain or bleeding collapsed uterus In some cases, doctors may suggest a hysterectomy as a preventative measure if a woman has significant warning or early signs of developing one or more of these conditions. When necessary, surgeons may also remove the ovaries and fallopian tubes, if these have also been damaged or are at serious risk of damage. The removal of reproductive organs sends a woman's body into menopause, no matter how old she is. This comes with unpleasant side effects like hot flashes, and many women have to start hormone therapy, taking estrogen to balance out their own hormones.
Wales Online
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Jo Joyner would 'love' to return to Doctor Who
Jo Joyner would 'love' to return to Doctor Who The 48-year-old actress played Lynda Moss in two episodes - 'Bad Wolf' and 'The Parting of the Ways' - of the hit BBC sci-fi franchise's first revival series in 2005 Jo Joyner in Little Disasters (Image: Paramount Plus ) Jo Joyner wants to return to 'Doctor Who'. The 48-year-old actress played Lynda Moss in two episodes - 'Bad Wolf' and 'The Parting of the Ways' - of the hit BBC sci-fi franchise's first revival series in 2005. Her alter ego was one of the 'Big Brother' contestants onboard the Game Station in the year 200100, and after she met the Ninth Doctor (Christopher Eccleston) and his companion Captain Jack Harness (John Barrowman), the trio set out to save Christopher's second on-screen sidekick Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) from her death while playing 'The Weakest Link'. As Jo loved her experience on 'Doctor Who' - whose head writer and showrunner is Russell T Davies - she is keen to make a comeback to the franchise in the future. She told the Metro newspaper's 60 Seconds column: "I'd love to return to the franchise. I think it's such a wonderful thing. "I really enjoyed that job, it was with Russell T Davies when he first launched it with Chris Eccleston as The Doctor, and I did the last two episodes of 'The Bad Wolf'." Article continues below Jo revealed that Lynda could not serve as an assistant to the Time Lord in the second series of the 'Doctor Who' revival because the actress was contracted to the Channel 4 comedy-drama 'No Angels'. So, Russell wrote Lynda's scenes in the two episodes Jo did to tease that her alter ego could be the sidekick. Jo explained: "At the time I was filming 'No Angels', and I was contracted to them, so we knew I'd have to go back to 'No Angels'. "But when Russell knew it was me, he said, 'Oh, I'm going to play with it a little bit. I'm going to make it look like you might be the new assistant for the next series even though we know that you can't be.'" And the TV star has thanked the show's fans - nicknamed The Whovians - for their support over the years. Jo said: "It was lovely because you just know there are no fans quite like The Whovians. Article continues below "I mean, they are another level of fanhood and they've been so lovely to me over the years. "They really enjoyed that twist of, 'Will she be hanging on, or not?' "That's the wonderful thing about 'Doctor Who', isn't it?"
Wales Online
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Jo Joyner makes candid admission about motherhood as she opens up on 'dilemma' in Little Disasters
Jo Joyner makes candid admission about motherhood as she opens up on 'dilemma' in Little Disasters In new psychological thriller Little Disasters Jo Joyner stars as Liz who is brought together with a group of women when they attend an antenatal class Jo Joyner attends the "Little Disasters" UK Premiere Little Disasters is the eagerly anticipated Paramount Plus psychological thriller inspired by Sarah Vaughan's novel. The gripping narrative entwines the lives of four friends linked through their prenatal class. Liz, portrayed by Jo Joyner, admires mum Jess (Diane Kruger) and regards her as an exemplary mother. But when Jess arrives at the A&E with her baby daughter Betsey and a mysterious head injury, Liz is thrown into a spiral of doubt about what she thought she knew of Jess. Faced with a critical choice—whether to stand by her friend or alert social services for an inquiry—Liz's convictions are put to the test. During a preview gathering before the series premiere, actress Jo Joyner chatted with Reach along with other journalists about her connection to the bond between Jess and Liz. She divulged her thoughts on how she might react facing a similar ordeal. Jo Joyner in Little Disasters Get Paramount+ free for a week This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more £7.99 £0 Paramount+ Get Paramount+ here Product Description Telly fans can get seven days of free access to Paramount+ shows like Tulsa King and Dexter: Original Sin by signing up for a free trial via Amazon Prime's Paramount+ channel. Article continues below Jo commented: "Liz spends her life thinking Jess is getting it all right, and actually with some women that can become a bit resentful. "We have a mother at my school when their kids were little who I would call 'Mother of the Year' and my kids would go 'Stop it mum, she's lovely'. "And I would go 'She is, she's lovely because she gets it all right'. But it's the same mother I relied on to tell me it was sports day or book day, or the things I was always missing because I was working." Joyner also added, reflecting on the characters' relationship: "They have that dynamic, Jess and Liz, where they really support each other but equally somehow it makes them feel less at times." Nick played by Ben Bailey Smith and Dr Liz Burgess played by Jo Joyner The mother of two expressed that stepping into her character Liz's situation would present a "difficult" choice. She remarked: "We have all got friends who are fabulous mums and Jess is to Liz the mum of the year that she would aspire to be. "And yet it doesn't make sense, the injury doesn't add up. "And Liz has worked so hard to become a doctor, it wasn't her natural line from birth and she cares about her career a huge amount. "So there's no dilemma really, she's always going to make that call because on a professional front, she has to". Nevertheless, when considering her own position as a friend and mother, Jo conceded it would indeed pose a "huge dilemma", noting: "I thought of really good friends of mine and I just can't imagine having to make that call, so a huge dilemma." Little Disasters airs on Paramount Plus Article continues below
Wales Online
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Little Disasters cast in full as EastEnders and The Office stars join psychological thriller
Little Disasters cast in full as EastEnders and The Office stars join psychological thriller Little Disasters has just landed on Paramount Plus and the psychological thriller boasts a star-studded cast including Bridgerton and The Office stars Little Disasters stars Jo Joyner Little Disasters, a new arrival on Paramount Plus, is based on the novel of the same name by Sarah Vaughan. The plot thickens when Jess, a new mum, rushes her baby daughter to the hospital with an unexplained head injury, leaving her best mate and A&E doctor, Liz, in a quandary. Liz is torn between reporting the incident to social services or trusting her friend's explanation. Her decision sets off a series of catastrophic events that plunge Jess and her family into chaos. The six-part drama features a stellar cast, and the synopsis further reveals: "As the threat of police and social services looms over the family and Jess' perfect life starts to crumble, their friends, Mel and Charlotte, become embroiled in the investigation." Each woman harbours judgments about the others, which ultimately turn into self-judgments, all secretly echoing the same insidious question: am I a bad mother? In a frantic quest for the truth, everyone begins to question what really happened to Betsey, and what secrets Jess' family is truly concealing. Here's all you need to knoe about the cast. Jess Carrisford played by Diane Kruger Article continues below Jess Carrisford - Diane Kruger The seemingly flawless stay-at-home mum, Jess, is portrayed by Diane Kruger, a 48 year old German actress renowned for her roles in films such as Troy and National Treasure. She also starred as Bridget von Hammersmark in Quentin Tarantino's war film Inglourious Basterds. In her personal life, she's romantically involved with The Walking Dead actor Norman Reedus, whom she met on the set of Sky in 2015. Their daughter was born in November 2018. Dr Liz Burgess is played by Jo Joyner Dr Liz Burgess - Jo Joyner Dr Liz Burgess is portrayed by Jo Joyner, a 47 year old English actress. Liz is Jess's best mate and works in the local A&E department. Joyner is most recognised for her roles as Tanya Branning in EastEnders and Mandy Carter in Ackley Bridge. She is wed to Neil Madden and they welcomed fraternal twins in December 2009. Charlotte Hinman - Shelley Conn Charlotte Hinman, a straight-talking, ambitious corporate solicitor, is played by Shelley Conn, a 48 year old English actress. Conn is known for her roles as Lady Mary Sharma in Bridgerton's second season and Jessica Fraser in Mistresses. Residing in London, Shelley is married to fellow actor Jonathan Kerrigan and they have a son together, born in 2012. Charlotte Hinman is played by Shelley Conn Mel Quinn - Emily Taaffe Mel Quinn, the youngest of the group and a lively spirit, is portrayed by Emily Taaffe. Emily, a 41 year old Irish actress based in South London, is primarily known for her theatre work but has also starred in Ripper Street, BBC's War and Peace, Call the Midwife and Death in Paradise. She tied the knot with writer Ben Schiffer in the summer of 2016. Mel Quinn is played by Emily Taaffe Ed Carrisford - JJ Feild Ed Carrisford, Jess's husband and an Oxford-educated corporate highflyer, is played by JJ Feild. John Joseph Feild, a 47 year old British American actor, is recognised for his role as Fred Garland in the TV adaptations of Philip Pullman's The Ruby in the Smoke and The Shadow in the North. Recently, he portrayed Lev Zubov in the series The Peripheral. Since 2011, he has been romantically involved with actress Neve Campbell. The couple welcomed a son in August 2012 and announced the adoption of another son in June 2018. Rob Baird - Stephen Campbell Moore Rob Baird, Mel's husband who works in the music industry, is portrayed by Stephen Campbell Moore, a 45 year old British actor. He gained fame through his roles in the play and film versions of The History Boys, as well as the sci-fi television series War of the Worlds. In 2017, he met his partner, actress Sophie Cookson, on the set of Red Joan. They have one child together, born in 2020. Nick Burgess is played by Ben Bailey Smith Nick Burgess - Ben Bailey Smith Nick Burgess, Liz's husband and an aspiring secondary school teacher, is played by Ben Bailey Smith, a 47 year old actor, comedian and rapper also known as Doc Brown. The father of two is known for his roles as DS Joe Hawkins in Law and Order UK and Lieutenant Supervisor Blevin in Andor. Andrew Hinman - Patrick Baladi Andrew Hinman, Charlotte's husband in the series who works as a lawyer, is portrayed by Patrick Baladi. Patrick, a 53 year old English actor, is known for his roles as Neil Godwin in The Office and Stephen Holmes in the ITV thriller Marcella. He fathered one daughter with his first wife, Gemma Walker, and a second daughter with his second wife, Janie Erith. Try Paramount+ free for a week This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more £7.99 £0 Amazon/Paramount+ Get Paramount+ here Product Description Telly fans can get seven days of free access to binge tantalising TV like Tulsa King and Dexter: Original Sin by signing up for a free trial via Amazon Prime's Paramount+ channel. This also includes a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime, just remember to cancel at the end and you won't be charged Lucy Harding - Chizzy Akudolu Lucy Harding, a social worker in the series, is portrayed by Chizzy Akudolu, a 51 year old British actress. Born Andrea Chizoba Akudolu, she has made her mark in shows such as Holby City, Jinx and Stupid! Off-screen, viewers might be intrigued to learn that she holds a brown belt in karate and is a skilled calligrapher. DC Steve Rustin - Robert Gilbert The character of DC Steve Rustin is brought to life by Robert Gilbert, a 37 year old British American actor known for his role as Yusuf in Killing Eve. His other notable roles include Will in Big Mood and Barney Crozier in Bergerac. In addition to acting, Gilbert releases music under the pseudonym Captain Backfire and writes for other artists through the publishing house Notting Hill. Article continues below His debut in screenwriting and directing was marked by Real Thirsty, featuring Bryan Cranston and Joely Richardson. Little Disasters airs on Paramount Plus on May 22.
Telegraph
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Little Disasters, review: a Mumsnet message board brought to life
Hell is other people, particularly the people in your NCT group. There's always an immaculate mother who can find time to bake three varieties of biscuits for the coffee morning despite having a newborn, an alpha mother going demented because they can't wait to get back to the office, and a hippie mother who wants to tell you how they sautéed the placenta. This is the landscape of Little Disasters (Paramount+), a soapy whodunit about middle-class parents with vast kitchens and dark secrets. Jess (Diane Kruger) turns up to A&E one night with her 10-month-old daughter, Betsey. The doctor on duty is Liz (EastEnders' Jo Joyner), who discovers that Betsey has a fractured skull which Jess can't explain, and follows protocol by calling social services. This is awkward, because the two women have been close friends since meeting in a baby group a decade earlier. It's also tricky because we're talking about characters who live in Richmond upon Thames and take the sort of holidays in Provence that involve table-scaping and wearing expensive straw hats. 'They're used to being treated differently, as if they couldn't be on our radar,' a social worker tells the police. Over six episodes, we learn that – who'd have guessed it? – nobody is as perfect as they seem. Liz drinks too much. Jess, always serene and well-groomed in shades of silken cream, has been struggling with her mental health. The two other women making up the group are Charlotte (Shelley Conn), a glamorous lawyer who planned her induction around her work schedule and gave birth in a unit 'really popular with the royals', and pink-haired Mel (Emily Taaffe), married to a man who thinks he's cool because he works in the music business. The story is adapted from a novel by Sarah Vaughan, whose previous book, Anatomy of a Scandal, was a hit for Netflix. The thriller element comes from working out who hurt Betsey. It's bingeable but at times feels sloppily plotted – why on earth are these people still maintaining their friendships in the midst of all this? There is an air of unreality, and a sense that we're looking at fake sets rather than real homes. Why does everyone live in a madly luxurious house with the footprint of an aircraft hangar, even the NHS doctor married to a teacher? Best to stop asking questions and just enjoy the Crittall windows, bespoke cabinetry and sofas big enough to seat a family of 12. The men are very much secondary, although all of the actors do well with the limited material, particularly Patrick Baladi as Charlotte's thoroughly decent husband and Stephen Campbell Moore as Mel's less pleasant other half. Behind it all there are serious points being made about how new mothers can struggle: feeling unable to stop a baby's incessant crying, trying to manage the demands of older children, dealing with the pressures on a marriage. Then there are the smaller issues of screen time, table manners and whether or not you can tell someone else's children to belt up. It's a Mumsnet messageboard brought to life.
