Gregg Wallace is suffering from a painful stomach condition after 15 years on MasterChef.
The BBC star – who refers to himself as the “fat, bald bloke who likes pudding” – was diagnosed with diverticulitis last year.
The 54-year-old former greengrocer has worked hard to avoid foods that can bring on symptoms but sometimes he “forgets”.
The illness, which is common especially in older people, is the inflammation or infection of balloon-like sacs (diverticula) in the large intestine, which leads to abdominal pain, tenderness, and fever.
Experts say the most common cause is a lack of fibre. Gregg, who was diagnosed after his diverticula became inflamed, said: “At that point they can burst your intestine. I was almost doubled up in pain.”
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He said he had just experienced a painful episode.
Gregg said: “When they’re irritated, you’ve got to watch alcohol and spicy food. We were eating chilis yesterday. Before that I had a massive skinful of beer in Dublin –and it was already playing up.”
Speaking alongside John Torode during filming of MasterChef: The Professionals, Gregg said he had taken his eye off the ball after embarking on a health kick.
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He said: “I forgot, because I’d been so well. But yesterday I was ill. I’m turning into one of those old people who has things wrong with them.”
Six years ago he lost three stone after being told his cholesterol level was dangerously high.
His fourth wife Anne-Marie, 33, is expecting a boy they plan to call Sid this month.
MasterChef: The Professionals will air on BBC2 later this year.
