Lauren Harries is rushed to the ICU after emergency brain surgery
Lauren Harries was rushed to the ICU at the University Hospital of Wales after emergency brain surgery.
The Celebrity Big Brother star, 45, was rushed to hospital for the procedure on April 14, of unknown cause.
Her mother Katy has provided updates on her daughter’s condition and has now shared that Lauren was rushed to ICU after contracting infections before being transferred back to neurology.
In the update, shared on Lauren’s official Twitter account on Wednesday morning, Katy said Lauren was “awake and talking” and urged people to “pray for her.”
She shared: ‘Lauren was transferred to ICU when she contracted Covid as well as 2 infections which caused her breathing problems.
Hospitalized: Lauren Harries was rushed to the ICU at the University Hospital of Wales after emergency brain surgery
‘Pray for her’: Her mum Katy shared that Lauren was rushed to ICU after contracting infections before going back to neurology
“She’s awake and talking back into Neurology. Once again I would like to thank all the wonderful staff at Heath Hospital. She still has a way to go, but she is strong. Pray for her.’
Lauren rose to fame as a precocious 12-year-old antiques expert named James, appearing on the Antiques Roadshow and Wogan, before undergoing sex reassignment surgery in 2003.
The latest update comes a week after Katy told fans that Lauren had been returned to recovery, where she was being “closely monitored.”
Katy tweeted from the star’s official account last Tuesday, sharing a photo to update her followers on Twitter.
She wrote: ‘Yesterday they took Lauren back to recovery, she is being closely monitored. She still has memory problems and confusion.
“The doctors say she doesn’t need another surgery, they’re taking it day by day. Please pray for her and send her your love. Thank you for your kindness’.
On Monday, Katy shared that Lauren “would have died” had she not had the surgery and explained that doctors had to perform Lauren’s “worst nightmare” by shaving her hair off.
Lying in the hospital with an art book, the TV star still managed to flash a smile for the photo while bandaged.
Scary: The Celebrity Big Brother star, 45, was rushed to hospital on Friday for the procedure, of unknown cause
The caption read, “Lauren woke up from her brain surgery. They had to shave her hair. As you know, this is Lauren’s worst nightmare, but otherwise she would have died.
“The wonderful staff at Heath Hospital were amazing. Thank you for your kind words, her recovery ahead. Update follows.’
Many fans rallied to show their support to Lauren as they replied wishing her a speedy recovery.
Earlier this month, Katy took to her own Twitter account to beg fans to “send prayers” when she revealed her daughter was undergoing surgery.
Her distraught mother wrote on Twitter: “Please pray or send good thoughts to my precious daughter Lauren @Laurenharries. Who recovers from emergency brain surgery today,” she shared on the platform.
The post was retweeted by Lauren’s official Twitter page, who actively tweeted on the page just three days earlier and liked tweets just 11 hours earlier.
While the cause of the surgery is not yet known, MailOnline reached out to representatives for comment at the time.
Update: The latest update comes a week after Katy told fans Lauren had been returned to recovery, where she was being ‘closely monitored’
Horrible: Previously, Katy shared that Lauren ‘would have died’ if she hadn’t had the surgery and explained that doctors had to perform Lauren’s ‘worst nightmare’ by shaving her hair off
Ill health: Katy revealed earlier this month that former Celebrity Big Brother star Lauren Harries has had brain surgery
Prayers: The TV star’s mother Katy (pictured with Lauren) took to Twitter on Friday to beg fans to ‘send prayers’ to Lauren as she recovers from surgery
Unknown: While the cause of the surgery is not yet known, MailOnline has reached out to representatives for comment
Best wishes: When fans learned of the upsetting news, many rallied to send their messages of support to the star, who appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2013
Many fans reached out with messages of support, with one writing, “I’m sorry to hear that, all the best.”
“Oh my god I’m sending all my thoughts and prayers xx,” another added.
Lauren is famously close with mom Katy, often remarking on how supportive she is, showering her numerous times throughout her career.
The former Celebrity Big Brother star was born James Charles Harrys in Surrey in 1978, the youngest of three children.
And famously appeared on the Antiques Roadshow and Wogan as a 12-year-old antiques expert.
The Welsh star has since built a TV career, even releasing a single in 2015, I Am A Woman.
Today, Lauren sells artwork through her website, with pieces ranging from £20 to £150.
She has talked about her before sex reassignment surgery in 2003, admitting it was “dangerous” at the time.
Candid: Lauren underwent sex reassignment surgery in 2003 and has since spoken openly about the surgery — admitting it was “dangerous” at the time (pictured that year)
The television personality underwent the surgery, which converted the male anatomy to the female anatomy at the age of 23.
She told the Daily star“It’s a major operation and when I had it done all those years ago it was more dangerous because they didn’t know enough about it,” she said.
“It was said that if I had it done I would have a heart attack when I was 30 because my body wouldn’t be able to handle it.”
“For me it was like going to the kitchen, getting a vet, whoever, let’s get it done, at the time it cost me £20,000 but I think it was more then than it is now.”