Celebrity Big Brother’s Louis Walsh reveals he was diagnosed with a ‘rare’ blood cancer in lockdown as he talks about major health scare for the first time

By William On Mar 15, 2024

Louis Walsh revealed he was diagnosed with a ‘rare’ form of cancer in 2020 as he spoke about the major health concerns for the first time on Friday.

The former X Factor star, 71, revealed he had Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia, a rare form of blood cancer, but all has since cleared up after receiving treatment in Dublin.

When discussing his health with Levi and Ekin-Su on Celebrity Big Brother, he told the pair that ‘no one knew he was sick’.

Levi asked how Louis was spending the coronavirus lockdown, he replied: “I was sick, and I don’t think anyone knew I was sick. I had cancer. A mild version, a rare one.’

Levi asked, “Which part?” Pancreatic cancer?’

Louis Walsh revealed he was diagnosed with a ‘rare’ form of cancer in 2020 as he opened up about major health concerns for the first time on Friday

The former

“In my blood, I didn’t even know I had it until I went to the hospital, and then they checked me, checked me, checked me, and then they found it.

“They said it was rare, and I said (shrugs) away. Away,” Louis replied.

The music manager admitted that the cancer diagnosis left him in ‘shock’ and gave him a ‘reality check’.

He continued: “It has affected me mentally, I have to be honest with you. (points to his head) It’s just here, even walking past a hospital almost makes me sick.

‘It’s all gone, I’m fine. It was just the shock of being sick and that word… no one wants that word.

‘I blocked it out, a reality check, you see so many people sick and it’s terrible.

‘My world was all about pop music and stuff. I didn’t think about anyone getting sick or anything like that. And that was like wow reality check, you’re in the real world.’

Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (also known as lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma) is a rare form of low-grade lymphoma (a type of bone marrow cancer), which in most cases is associated with the presence of an excessive amount of abnormal protein in the blood.

Before entering the house, Louis revealed he had signed up for the ITV show to have fun after attending two recent funerals for friends, giving him a reality check about his own mortality.

Louis said, “I was sick, and I don’t think anyone knew I was sick. I had cancer. A mild version, a rare one in my blood, I didn’t even know I had it until I went to the hospital’

The music manager, who said his cancer is now ‘gone’, admitted the diagnosis left him in ‘shock’ and gave him a ‘reality check’ as it really affected him mentally

What is Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia?

Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia is also known as lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma.

It is a rare form of low-grade lymphoma (a type of bone marrow cancer), which in most cases is associated with the presence of an excessive amount of abnormal protein in the blood.
Due to the rarity of the condition, University College London Hospital has the largest referral practice for this condition in the UK
The cancer usually develops over a long period of time, with some people having no symptoms. It may be discovered if blood tests are done for another reason.
Symptoms may be caused by lymphoma cells building up in the bone marrow. The lymphoma cells take up space, making it difficult for the bone marrow to produce enough normal blood cells.
The most common symptoms are: feeling weak and tired (fatigue), looking very pale or feeling breathless due to a lack of red blood cells (anaemia), repeated infections due to a lack of healthy white blood cells (which help fight infections), easy bruising or bleeding heavy, drenching night sweats weight loss.
Blood Cancer UK can provide advice and support

He told the Mirror: ‘I don’t want to be in my last chapter, I want to live. I want to enjoy. I do not wanna die. But then it makes sense that you reach this age and think: why not? Life is too short.

‘I’ve lost a number of people in my life lately and it changes you. I’ve been to two funerals. Yes, it’s definitely a reality check. It makes you think about what life is about. It makes you think about what is important and what you care about. Losing friends makes you think about your own mortality.

‘I want to enjoy more. I want to see the world. Everywhere. I don’t have a bucket list. I don’t like that word. I just want to see the rest of the world. I just want to enjoy life – live, love and laugh. I don’t want to be older and think: I wish I had done that. I don’t want to do that, no. There is no time for regrets. I’m happy. To be honest, I am happy at the moment and this has given me an extra push to enjoy life even more.’

It comes next viewers were left outraged when Louis ordered Nikita Kuzmin to “stop crying” in tense scenes on Thursday night.

Louis slammed the Strictly star, 26, during the shocking face-to-face nominations as the latter started crying while voting for the former.

The housemates were told to kiss the co-star they nominated – and when a sobbing Nikita approached Louis after saying he was lazy in the house, the septuagenarian spat: “Stop crying for God’s sake.”

Nikita – who said: “I don’t think Louis helped in the house as much as everyone else, that’s my reason,” before Louis’ slur – has scored legions of fans since entering the house, many of whom took to Twitter afterward swarmed the moment.

Angry fans wrote: ‘LOUIS TELLS NIKITA ‘STOP CRYING FOR GOD’S GOOD’. YOU ARE A BITTER EMOTIONLESS OLD MAN, LEAVE MY BABY ALONE… @kuzmin__nikita is so pure. Louis is mean, we must protect Nikita at all costs!!!… .’

Blood Cancer UK can offer advice and support to everyone