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Celebrities Struck by Medieval Diseases: Robbie’s Scurvy, Zac’s Typhoid, and Josie’s Gout Shockers

BBG News

A variety of historical illnesses, such as scurvy and gout, were once thought to afflict only figures like Henry VIII. However, these ailments can still impact individuals in modern times.

This week, fans were taken aback as Josie Gibson disclosed that she’s been diagnosed with a historic illness, which she contracted during her travels while filming a luxury-themed series and sampling premium cabins.

As a devoted travel enthusiast, having recently wrapped up my journey showcased on Channel 5 titled “Around the World in First Class,” I decided to prioritize my well-being before embarking on my next TV endeavor by undergoing a comprehensive health check-up at the appropriate age of 40.

Before commencing the filming for the 1970s Diet, she discovered an unexpected health issue: gout. This condition is typically linked with figures like the Tudor Monarch and Benjamin Franklin.

Not just the star of “This Morning” is among celebrities who have been diagnosed with ailments traditionally linked to the Middle Ages, such as scurvy and poliomyelitis.

As a lifestyle advisor, I’ve learned the hard way that not all weight loss solutions are created equal. For instance, Robbie Williams experienced scurvy from a suppressant he used, and Zac Efron narrowly escaped typhoid due to health complications. These stories underscore the importance of prioritizing overall wellness over quick fixes.

Furthermore, certain public figures have been candid about battling conditions such as quinsy and malaria.

 

Robbie Williams – scurvy 

In April, it came to light that Robbie had been diagnosed with scurvy following his decision to stop eating, due to his use of an appetite-reducing medication.

51-year-old artist known for his hits as Rock DJ, discusses his struggles with multiple health issues in the last year. He disclosed the bodily side effects he experienced from using a weight loss medication.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d like to share my personal journey: Recently, I shed an impressive two stones while on a specific medication. However, this weight loss came with an unexpected twist – an unusual diagnosis followed suit. While I was initially taken aback, I’ve come to embrace the change and continue learning more about my health every day.

He stated that he hadn’t been consuming food, thus not receiving essential nutrients. He elaborated that this had left him malnourished, specifically deficient in vitamin C, a condition that led to scurvy – a disease historically associated with 17th-century pirates.

He explained that his long-term struggle with body dysmorphia led him to misunderstand well-meaning remarks from his loved ones.

(The original sentence was a bit technical and complex, so I simplified it for easier understanding.)

In an interview with The Mirror, Robbie shared, “When someone expresses concern about my appearance due to body dysmorphia, I feel validated, like I’ve finally achieved what I set out to do. When they comment that I look too thin, I interpret it as a confirmation that I’ve reached my goal – the coveted destination.

Previously, Robbie attributed his 2-stone weight reduction to something similar to Ozempic. In a 2023 interview, he disclosed that he had gone from weighing approximately 90 pounds to 86 pounds while utilizing an appetite-suppressing medication.

Robbie explained that being overweight is ‘shockingly catastrophic’ for his mental health. 

The former “Blobby Williams” popstar shared with The Times about the harshness of his inner critic when he isn’t at his ideal weight, saying: ‘Darling, I’m taking a medication similar to Ozempic… Essentially, it’s helped me shed over 2 stone! It feels like a festive miracle!’

‘And I need it, medically. I’ve been diagnosed with type 2 self-loathing.

“Being larger is incredibly detrimental to my mental wellbeing, and I often feel like I’m being harshly criticized, much like someone might experience with Katie Hopkins’ comments about overweight individuals. It drives me up the wall.

 

Zac Efron – typhoid

2019 saw Zac openly discussing his near-death experience, sharing that he recovered swiftly following the acquisition of a serious illness during the filming of a survival series in Papua New Guinea.

At that moment, he posted a photo on Instagram featuring kids he met during his stay in Papua New Guinea. The caption read: “Deeply grateful for all your messages.

I fell ill during my stay in Papua New Guinea, but I recovered swiftly and managed to complete a fantastic three-week journey there.

I’m spending the holidays at home surrounded by loved ones – friends and family. Appreciate your affection and support, can’t wait to connect again in the new year!

That particular year, it was believed Efron contracted a type of typhoid or a related bacterial illness close to Christmas. He was urgently transported to Brisbane on a critical airborne journey, with the help of skilled medical personnel.

As reported by The Daily Telegraph, Zac was airlifted to a hospital in Brisbane, Australia for immediate medical attention. Fortunately, he received a clean bill of health to travel back to the U.S. on Christmas Eve.

During the filming of the documentary series titled ‘Killing Zac Efron’, which commenced at the beginning of December in Papua New Guinea, Zac Efron became ill.

As a devoted enthusiast, I embarked on an exhilarating journey, venturing deep into the heart of a secluded, perilous island’s dense wilderness. For a span of twenty-one days, I found myself disconnected from the modern world.

Following his flight to Brisbane, he was taken to the private St. Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital in Spring Hill while being in a stable state.

At that location, he underwent treatment for a few days. Later, doctors declared him fit to travel, allowing him to depart for the United States on Christmas Eve.

Dr. Glenn McKay, Head of Medical Rescue, shared that due to confidentiality reasons, he couldn’t disclose specific patient details, but he did verify that their team had transported a 30-year-old American citizen from Papua New Guinea to Brisbane for medical treatment in Australia.

While filming, Efron first reached Kamanibit Village by canoe, where he was warmly received. Subsequently, he journeyed to Pagwi Village.

 

Cheryl – malaria 

2010 found Cheryl battling for survival when she fell ill with malaria after traveling to Tanzania.

Four years after, she became involved in the fundraising activities for Sport Relief, sharing her health struggles during her speech.

Reflecting on my past adventures, scaling Mount Kilimanjaro five years back for Comic Relief remains undeniably one of the toughest challenges I’ve faced.

The driving force was understanding that this action could contribute to the elimination of malaria, thereby potentially saving countless lives through the distribution of mosquito nets.

Cheryl went on saying, “I never imagined it would be just a year later when I would contract malaria myself and become gravely sick to the extent that I was told I had only 24 hours left.

I received excellent care, which I consider myself fortunate for. Not everyone shares this luck. An inexpensive £5 mosquito net might shield a child from harm and undeniably makes a difference.

Since I’ve personally been affected by this issue, I feel compelled to discuss it once more. I believe it’s crucial that others understand just how simple it can be to offer assistance.

In my personal experience, following a near-fatal health incident, my doctors advised me to pause my exercise routine and intentionally gain some weight for a speedy recovery. It might seem counterintuitive, but it’s all part of the healing process.

Facing a grim prognosis with only 24 hours to live due to malaria, this slender celebrity found herself with no other option than to comply with their instructions in order to recover from the illness.

‘I just ate everything,’ she said at the time. 

Through her words, it became clear that falling ill had shifted her focus towards wellness and aspects previously overlooked, as she expressed, “It made me see the importance of health and things I hadn’t given much thought to before.

The focus has shifted away from constant work towards creating space for relaxation and spending quality time with loved ones.

Cheryl caught malaria while on holiday in Tanzania with American dancer Derek Hough in June 2010.

 

Rebel Wilson – malaria 

Last year Rebel opened up about a terrifying brush with death that occurred when she was a teen.

At 45 years old, the actress from Hollywood shared that a distressing event took place when she fell ill with malaria at the age of 18 during her travels in Mozambique.

She mentioned that she developed a life-threatening illness following multiple mosquito bites.

In an interview with Us Weekly, the Bridesmaids star recalled a time when she was 18 and contracted malaria. One morning in an African wilderness, she found herself with roughly 100 mosquito bites on her face.

‘I was in hospital for two weeks, she added. ‘I could have died from it, it was very, very bad.’

Elsewhere in the chat, Rebel joked that the incident was part of why she suffers from ‘bugs-xiety’.

As someone who’s spent my formative years down under, I’ve always harbored a deep-seated apprehension towards our abundant and diverse insect population.

2019’s harrowing ordeal, as Rebel put it, involved not taking sufficient measures to protect herself from malaria, a disease spread through mosquito bites.

I, consumed by my passion, found myself immersed in charitable work across Africa, where I unfortunately contracted malaria – a disease characterized by intense fevers and, in some cases, uncontrollable seizures.

In an episode of the Aussies in Hollywood podcast, she stated, “They suggested I take pills, which I learned could lead to mental issues. Consequently, I unfortunately contracted malaria instead.

 

Mia Farrow – polio

At age nine in the year 1954’s summer, Mia fell ill with polio. However, she didn’t let this setback deter her. Instead, she’s dedicated herself to advocating for vaccination initiatives today.

In her memoir, What Falls Away, she shared her childhood experience of surviving polio.

In an interview with the New York Post, way back in 2000, she expressed that her personal experience with polio might have made her more driven than most individuals because she personally suffered from polio.

Not only was it incredibly difficult to make it through that ordeal, but the images I encountered along the way have forever etched themselves into my memory – whether in the hospital rooms or infectious disease units open to the public.

Mia has been actively involved in global polio immunization programs, serving as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

Previously, she mentioned that following the year when she contracted polio, a new vaccination became available for public use. Excited parents quickly arranged for their children to receive this immunization.

‘Polio has been eradicated in our country (America) and many parts of the globe now. It’s like receiving a precious gift or blessing that it no longer poses a significant threat to our health.’

Polio is a serious infection that’s now very rare because of the vaccination programme.

It’s only found in a few countries and the chance of getting it in the UK is extremely low.

The polio vaccine is part of the NHS routine childhood vaccination schedule. 

 

Rhian Sugden – quinsy 

This year in March, Rhian announced some troubling news; she was diagnosed with quinsy – a condition that dates back to the Victorian era and caused her immense pain.

The model wearing lingerie, aged 38, acknowledged that despite having a very high tolerance for pain, the sensation she was experiencing was something beyond the usual.

Later on, she posted a picture from a hospital room to update her followers about another change in her health condition.

She mentioned that she recently visited the doctor again due to excruciating pain in her throat. She believes that despite having a high tolerance for pain, this discomfort seems unusually severe.

I have been diagnosed with Peritonsillar Abscess, which I assumed was an old-fashioned ailment. However, if someone has experienced this before, I can only imagine their pain – it’s unbearable just thinking about opening my mouth.

Rhian captioned the hospital snap of herself: ‘Quinsy: 1, Rhian: 0’.

The NHS explains that Quinsy refers to a bacterial infection which initially develops on a tonsil, subsequently spreading towards the area near the tonsil, causing the tonsil to be pushed inward and resulting in a swelling of the soft palate.

People who have an illness that tends to improve with antibiotics often find it difficult to open their mouths wider than a few centimeters.

Individuals battling an illness that is usually treated with antibiotics frequently experience difficulty opening their mouths beyond a couple of centimeters.

Or:
Those suffering from an illness that commonly improves with antibiotics often find it tough to open their mouths wider than just a few centimeters.

As a lifestyle advisor, let me shed some light on measles, a viral illness frequently encountered among the young ones. It’s identified by a specific rash, high temperature, and persistent cough.

Both illnesses can be passed from person to person. 

 

Josie Gibson – gout

This week, it was disclosed that Josie has contracted a medieval illness following her participation in a travel show, during which she enjoyed the premium cabins.

Following the completion of her travel show “Around the World in First Class” on Channel 5, the host, aged 40, decided to undergo a routine health checkup before embarking on her next TV project, “The 1970s Diet.” During this examination, she was diagnosed with gout.

In the United Kingdom, approximately 1.5 million individuals experience gout, a form of joint inflammation characterized by intense discomfort and swelling, often affecting the big toes, feet, wrists, and ankles.

Cases are on the rise, with the number surging by about four per cent each year.

During the broadcast, the TV host mentioned that she had been experiencing discomfort in her toes throughout the show. This program is streamable on Channel 5’s service, where we follow Josie as she embarks on 12 luxury flights by first class and private jets, and stays overnight in accommodations valued over $20,000 each, including destinations such as the Middle East and Caribbean.

She said: ‘I thought gout was only for old men but I have been living quite a lavish life. 

Prior to recording this program, I found myself taking numerous flights, consuming copious amounts of champagne, indulging in lavish meals, and getting very little rest. This lifestyle ultimately led me to develop gout.

Josie was savoring the luxurious life, indulging in champagne and gourmet meals at top-rated eateries awarded by Michelin.

Blood tests gave the shock diagnosis, after spending weeks living in luxury.

Historically, gout has been linked to affluent individuals such as Henry VIII and Benjamin Franklin, whose diets rich in alcohol and red meat – both of which contain high levels of a compound called purines that can trigger this condition – were well-known.

Lately, it’s been reported that actor Jared Leto developed gout following a quick weight gain of over 4 stones (approximately 26 kilograms) while preparing for his role as Mark David Chapman in the movie “Chapter 27,” back in 2007.

Alongside other famous individuals, both James Corden (age 46) and Jack Whitehall (age 36), comedians, have experienced struggles related to this issue in more recent times.

Josie confirmed she is now gout free after returning to a less lavish diet. 

She explained that when she began drinking more water and less champagne, and stopped traveling by plane so frequently, things seemed to balance out for her.

Her health changed course following her involvement in the 1970s diet show, which led her to consume boiled potatoes, liver, and Spam.

Josie continued, “I’ve moved from one end of the spectrum to the opposite. I was living the best life I could imagine, but then I had a harsh reality check.

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2025-04-27 15:37

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