Latest news with #TheMummyDiaries
South Wales Guardian
3 days ago
- Health
- South Wales Guardian
Reality TV star Billie Shepherd reveals ‘scary' Lyme disease diagnosis
The former The Only Way Is Essex star, 35, told the Mirror that the symptoms of the illness came on suddenly. 'One day I was fine, the next I woke up with really bad pains in my elbows and my arms,' the mother-of-three said. 'I thought I must have slept funny. I tried to ignore it but as the days went on, the pain went all over my body to the point where I couldn't even get out of bed. It was horrendous. 'I would have to crawl. 'Going to the toilet, I was in bits, I was hysterical, crying, because I was in so much pain.' Shepherd – whose younger sister is Sam Faiers – starred alongside her sibling in ITVBe show The Mummy Diaries, which followed the ups and downs of their family lives. The 35-year-old said she relied on her husband Greg Shepherd, who she has been married to since 2019, for support as she battled the illness. 'It was hard for me to sit on the toilet without Greg helping me,' she told the Mirror. 'It was so scary.' According to the NHS, early symptoms of Lyme disease can be a circular rash, but this may not appear until up to three months after being bitten by an infected tick. Shepherd said she first started noticing symptoms in January and that she went back and forth to doctors for about two months before being diagnosed with the infection, which she said she had 'never heard of'. 'I had hard, red lumps all over my legs, which were so painful, a horrible rash on my back and extreme fatigue,' she said. The worst of her symptoms, she said, was reactive arthritis, which she described as 'the most intense, awful pain in my joints'. Some people with Lyme disease develop more severe symptoms months or years later, the NHS website says, and a few people who are diagnosed continue to have symptoms, like tiredness, aches and loss of energy that can last for years. Shepherd told the Mirror she is still suffering from fatigue. She also told of the difficulty in telling her children, her two daughters Nelly, 11, and Margot, two, and eight-year-old son Arthur, about her illness. 'Kids are adaptable, but I was so poorly there's no way they wouldn't notice,' she said. 'I explained honestly why I wasn't very well. Nelly understands, she's on the ball and will ask if it's Lyme disease that's making me tired when I'm not feeling good.' Shepherd said she hopes talking about her diagnosis in her upcoming show with Faiers will raise awareness of the condition, of which there are around 1,500 laboratory-confirmed cases in England and Wales each year, according to the UK Health Security Agency. She told the Mirror: 'If I can raise awareness and offer others comfort at the same time, I'll be happy.' Sam And Billie: Sister Act starts on Tuesday 19 August at 9pm on ITV2.
Leader Live
3 days ago
- Health
- Leader Live
Reality TV star Billie Shepherd reveals ‘scary' Lyme disease diagnosis
The former The Only Way Is Essex star, 35, told the Mirror that the symptoms of the illness came on suddenly. 'One day I was fine, the next I woke up with really bad pains in my elbows and my arms,' the mother-of-three said. 'I thought I must have slept funny. I tried to ignore it but as the days went on, the pain went all over my body to the point where I couldn't even get out of bed. It was horrendous. 'I would have to crawl. 'Going to the toilet, I was in bits, I was hysterical, crying, because I was in so much pain.' Shepherd – whose younger sister is Sam Faiers – starred alongside her sibling in ITVBe show The Mummy Diaries, which followed the ups and downs of their family lives. The 35-year-old said she relied on her husband Greg Shepherd, who she has been married to since 2019, for support as she battled the illness. 'It was hard for me to sit on the toilet without Greg helping me,' she told the Mirror. 'It was so scary.' According to the NHS, early symptoms of Lyme disease can be a circular rash, but this may not appear until up to three months after being bitten by an infected tick. Shepherd said she first started noticing symptoms in January and that she went back and forth to doctors for about two months before being diagnosed with the infection, which she said she had 'never heard of'. 'I had hard, red lumps all over my legs, which were so painful, a horrible rash on my back and extreme fatigue,' she said. The worst of her symptoms, she said, was reactive arthritis, which she described as 'the most intense, awful pain in my joints'. Some people with Lyme disease develop more severe symptoms months or years later, the NHS website says, and a few people who are diagnosed continue to have symptoms, like tiredness, aches and loss of energy that can last for years. Shepherd told the Mirror she is still suffering from fatigue. She also told of the difficulty in telling her children, her two daughters Nelly, 11, and Margot, two, and eight-year-old son Arthur, about her illness. 'Kids are adaptable, but I was so poorly there's no way they wouldn't notice,' she said. 'I explained honestly why I wasn't very well. Nelly understands, she's on the ball and will ask if it's Lyme disease that's making me tired when I'm not feeling good.' Shepherd said she hopes talking about her diagnosis in her upcoming show with Faiers will raise awareness of the condition, of which there are around 1,500 laboratory-confirmed cases in England and Wales each year, according to the UK Health Security Agency. She told the Mirror: 'If I can raise awareness and offer others comfort at the same time, I'll be happy.' Sam And Billie: Sister Act starts on Tuesday 19 August at 9pm on ITV2.
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Reality TV star Billie Shepherd reveals ‘scary' Lyme disease diagnosis
'One day I was fine, the next I woke up with really bad pains in my elbows and my arms,' the mother-of-three said. 'I thought I must have slept funny. I tried to ignore it but as the days went on, the pain went all over my body to the point where I couldn't even get out of bed. It was horrendous. Sisters Billie Shepherd (left) and Sam Faiers will appear alongside each other in their new programme Sam And Billie: Sister Act (Yui Mok/PA) 'I would have to crawl. 'Going to the toilet, I was in bits, I was hysterical, crying, because I was in so much pain.' Shepherd – whose younger sister is Sam Faiers – starred alongside her sibling in ITVBe show The Mummy Diaries, which followed the ups and downs of their family lives. The 35-year-old said she relied on her husband Greg Shepherd, who she has been married to since 2019, for support as she battled the illness. 'It was hard for me to sit on the toilet without Greg helping me,' she told the Mirror. 'It was so scary.' According to the NHS, early symptoms of Lyme disease can be a circular rash, but this may not appear until up to three months after being bitten by an infected tick. Shepherd said she first started noticing symptoms in January and that she went back and forth to doctors for about two months before being diagnosed with the infection, which she said she had 'never heard of'. 'I had hard, red lumps all over my legs, which were so painful, a horrible rash on my back and extreme fatigue,' she said. Billie Shepherd said she relied on her husband Greg for support as she battled the illness (Suzan Moore/PA) The worst of her symptoms, she said, was reactive arthritis, which she described as 'the most intense, awful pain in my joints'. Some people with Lyme disease develop more severe symptoms months or years later, the NHS website says, and a few people who are diagnosed continue to have symptoms, like tiredness, aches and loss of energy that can last for years. Shepherd told the Mirror she is still suffering from fatigue. She also told of the difficulty in telling her children, her two daughters Nelly, 11, and Margot, two, and eight-year-old son Arthur, about her illness. 'Kids are adaptable, but I was so poorly there's no way they wouldn't notice,' she said. 'I explained honestly why I wasn't very well. Nelly understands, she's on the ball and will ask if it's Lyme disease that's making me tired when I'm not feeling good.' Shepherd said she hopes talking about her diagnosis in her upcoming show with Faiers will raise awareness of the condition, of which there are around 1,500 laboratory-confirmed cases in England and Wales each year, according to the UK Health Security Agency. She told the Mirror: 'If I can raise awareness and offer others comfort at the same time, I'll be happy.' Sam And Billie: Sister Act starts on Tuesday 19 August at 9pm on ITV2.
Scottish Sun
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
First look at Sam and Billie Faiers new ITV show four years after they QUIT Mummy Diaries
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SAM and Billie Faiers are back on screens with a brand new ITV reality show - four years after they sensationally quit The Mummy Diaries. The sisters have reunited for a fresh series that promises family drama, glamour and plenty of laughs as cameras follow their lives once again. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 7 Sam and Billie's long-awaited new series drops today Credit: ITV 7 Sam & Billie: Sister Act is full of raw moments, family drama and health scares Credit: ITV Sam and Billie Faiers are back — and this time, it's all about sisterhood, sparkle, and a whole lot of real talk. The long-awaited new series drops today, reuniting the famous sisters on our screens for the first time since The Mummy Diaries wrapped up in 2021. With their kids a little older and life throwing new challenges their way, Sam and Billie are turning the spotlight on themselves — juggling motherhood, careers, and that ever-glam celeb lifestyle. Sam & Billie: Sister Act expects raw moments as they open up like never before, facing health scares, family dramas, and some shocking revelations. But through all the tears and laughs, the sisters prove their bond is unbreakable. From emotional heart-to-hearts and healing old wounds, to jet-setting adventures and glitzy nights out, it's all happening — giving fans a backstage pass to the highs, lows, and everything in between. This is sisterhood, up close and personal. Sam quit her ITVBe show The Mummy Diaries to take a break from reality TV. She has starred on the ITVBe series with property developer hubby Paul Knightley and their two young kids for seven years. She quit as she planned to focus on new projects away from the cameras. Samantha Faiers slammed after sharing 'dangerous' suncream conspiracy theory and saying kids have 'built up a tolerance' Sam said: 'After many months of consideration, I've decided that now feels like the right time to step away and to focus on new adventures. "I truly have watched all the most defining moments in my adult life play out on The Mummy Diaries - bringing two beautiful children into the world, my relationship with Paul, building my businesses, creating a home together as a family, and of course all the wonderful memories with Billie and my family. "I'm so grateful to ITV and Potato for giving me and my children the best home movies anyone could ask for, I could never have imagined seven years ago that we would still be here today - 9 series on! But more importantly, I will be forever appreciative to our incredible viewers. "There's no family more entertaining than the Shepherds, so I can't wait to sit back as a viewer for a change and watch the fun play out while I have a few adventures of my own away from the cameras.' Billie continued filming her own show, The Family Diaries, with husband Greg Shepherd, focusing on refurbishing her lavish £1.4million Essex mansion. But then she quit in September to give her three children the chance to grow up away from the cameras. Sam recently hit back after coming under fire for revealing that her kids never wear sunscreen. The reality star shared a "dangerous" conspiracy theory, saying her kids have "built up a tolerance" to sunburn. In response to the backlash, Sam admitted she was not a medical expert but was sharing her own experience with sunscreen. She wrote on Instagram: "Wow, I've received so many kind and supportive messages from my sunscreen post. Thank you. "I'd definitely recommend doing a little research into which tallow you'd like to use, there are lots of amazing options out there." She continued: "PS: Just sharing my experience and tips (not an expert)." The reality star then shared a photo of a brand of tallow that she usually relies on as an alternative to sunscreen. Sam's confession came after she decided to do a Q&A with fans. During it, one person asked the former Towie star: 'What suntan lotion do you use as you have a good natural colour?' Sam, who is mum to Paul, 5, Rosie, 5, and three-year-old Edward, shared: 'So this is always a bit of a controversial one, but honestly, me and my whole family don't actually wear sunscreen. 'Over the years, the kids have built up a really good tolerance to being in the sun. Of course, if it's really hot and the sun feels too harsh. 'I'll make sure we head into the shade.. usually around lunchtime we'll go in, have something to eat, and just avoid those peak hours." She went on: 'I'm really careful about sunscreen in general, because a lot of them are actually pretty harmful and full of toxic ingredients. 'If you do want to protect your kids, I think SPF swimwear is such a good and safer option. But also, don't be afraid of the sun! Early in the morning or later in the afternoon when it's not as strong, I love letting the kids run around and soak it up it's so good for them. 'That said, I do always bring a Tallow Zine SPF with me when I go away, just in case. And hats or caps are a must! especially for us ladies, because no one wants extra sun damage (I've had my fair share over the years because I'm such a sun lover!).' Fans have commented on Sam's latest post to share their concern after her suncreen message. One person wrote: 'You need to delete your story about not wearing sunscreen I don't think you understand the damage you can do to your followers by promoting this.' Someone else said: 'absolutely agree - so irresponsible!!' and a third echoed: ' was in shock - 'kids have grown a tolerance to the sun over the years' wtf?! Happy for them to get skin cancer then?' Sam & Billie: Sister Act premieres on 19th August at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX. 7 With their kids a little older and life throwing new challenges their way Credit: ITV 7 Sam and Billie juggle motherhood, careers, and that ever-glam celeb lifestyle Credit: ITV 7 The sisters suddenly pulled the plug on The Mummy Diaries Credit: ITV 7 The sisters wanted to give their children the chance to grow up away from the cameras Credit: ITV
The Irish Sun
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
First look at Sam and Billie Faiers new ITV show four years after they QUIT Mummy Diaries
SAM and Billie Faiers are back on screens with a brand new ITV reality show - four years after they sensationally quit The Mummy Diaries. The sisters have reunited for a fresh series that promises family drama, glamour and plenty of laughs as cameras follow their lives once again. 7 Sam and Billie's long-awaited new series drops today Credit: ITV 7 Sam & Billie: Sister Act is full of raw moments, family drama and health scares Credit: ITV Sam and Billie Faiers are back — and this time, it's all about sisterhood, sparkle, and a whole lot of real talk. The long-awaited new series drops today, reuniting the famous sisters on our screens for the first time since The Mummy Diaries wrapped up in 2021. With their kids a little older and life throwing new challenges their way, Sam and Billie are turning the spotlight on themselves — juggling motherhood, careers, and that ever-glam celeb lifestyle. Sam & Billie: Sister Act expects raw moments as they open up like never before, facing health scares, family dramas, and some shocking revelations. But through all the tears and laughs, the sisters prove their bond is unbreakable. From emotional heart-to-hearts and healing old wounds, to jet-setting adventures and glitzy nights out, it's all happening — giving fans a backstage pass to the highs, lows, and everything in between. This is sisterhood, up close and personal. Sam quit her ITVBe show The Mummy Diaries to take a break from reality TV. She has starred on the ITVBe series with property developer hubby Paul Knightley and their two young kids for seven years. She quit as she planned to focus on new projects away from the cameras. Samantha Faiers slammed after sharing 'dangerous' suncream conspiracy theory and saying kids have 'built up a tolerance' Sam said: 'After many months of consideration, I've decided that now feels like the right time to step away and to focus on new adventures. "I truly have watched all the most defining moments in my adult life play out on The Mummy Diaries - bringing two beautiful children into the world, my relationship with Paul, building my businesses, creating a home together as a family, and of course all the wonderful memories with Billie and my family. "I'm so grateful to ITV and Potato for giving me and my children the best home movies anyone could ask for, I could never have imagined seven years ago that we would still be here today - 9 series on! But more importantly, I will be forever appreciative to our incredible viewers. "There's no family more entertaining than the Shepherds, so I can't wait to sit back as a viewer for a change and watch the fun play out while I have a few adventures of my own away from the cameras.' Billie continued filming her own show, The Family Diaries, with husband Greg Shepherd, focusing on refurbishing her lavish £1.4million Essex mansion. But then she quit in September to give her three children the chance to grow up away from the cameras. Sam recently hit back after coming under fire for revealing that her kids never wear sunscreen. The reality star shared a "dangerous" conspiracy theory, saying her kids have "built up a tolerance" to sunburn. In response to the backlash, Sam admitted she was not a medical expert but was sharing her own experience with sunscreen. She wrote on Instagram: "Wow, I've received so many kind and supportive messages from my sunscreen post. Thank you. "I'd definitely recommend doing a little research into which tallow you'd like to use, there are lots of amazing options out there." She continued: "PS: Just sharing my experience and tips (not an expert)." The reality star then shared a photo of a brand of tallow that she usually relies on as an alternative to sunscreen. Sam's confession came after she decided to do a Q&A with fans. During it, one person asked the former Towie star: 'What suntan lotion do you use as you have a good natural colour?' Sam, who is mum to Paul, 5, Rosie, 5, and three-year-old Edward, shared: 'So this is always a bit of a controversial one, but honestly, me and my whole family don't actually wear sunscreen. 'Over the years, the kids have built up a really good tolerance to being in the sun. Of course, if it's really hot and the sun feels too harsh. 'I'll make sure we head into the shade.. usually around lunchtime we'll go in, have something to eat, and just avoid those peak hours." She went on: 'I'm really careful about sunscreen in general, because a lot of them are actually pretty harmful and full of toxic ingredients. 'If you do want to protect your kids, I think SPF swimwear is such a good and safer option. But also, don't be afraid of the sun! Early in the morning or later in the afternoon when it's not as strong, I love letting the kids run around and soak it up it's so good for them. 'That said, I do always bring a Tallow Zine SPF with me when I go away, just in case. And hats or caps are a must! especially for us ladies, because no one wants extra sun damage (I've had my fair share over the years because I'm such a sun lover!).' Fans have commented on Sam's latest post to share their concern after her suncreen message. One person wrote: 'You need to delete your story about not wearing sunscreen I don't think you understand the damage you can do to your followers by promoting this.' Someone else said: 'absolutely agree - so irresponsible!!' and a third echoed: ' was in shock - 'kids have grown a tolerance to the sun over the years' wtf?! Happy for them to get skin cancer then?' Sam & Billie: Sister Act premieres on 19th August at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX. 7 With their kids a little older and life throwing new challenges their way Credit: ITV 7 Sam and Billie juggle motherhood, careers, and that ever-glam celeb lifestyle Credit: ITV 7 The sisters suddenly pulled the plug on The Mummy Diaries Credit: ITV 7 The sisters wanted to give their children the chance to grow up away from the cameras Credit: ITV
