Dr Zoe Williams, a regular medical expert on ITV's This Morning, has announced she will take a break from the show to undergo spinal surgery. The 44-year-old appeared on the programme on Thursday, 22 January, alongside presenters Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley, revealing her surgery is scheduled for the following Tuesday.
Dr Williams explained that her spinal canal has been compressed to just 10% of its normal space, pinching nerves and causing significant pain. 'I struggle to be up straight. If I'm sitting down, I'm ok, but I can't straighten my spine a lot of the time,' she said. The surgery, a lumbar decompression, will remove overgrown ligaments and bone, as well as a bulging disc, to alleviate symptoms.
The doctor described the decision as a last resort after trying physiotherapy, chiropractic care, and other treatments over the past two and a half years. 'I've been reassured by my surgeon that I'll walk in, have my operation, and walk out the same day,' she said, adding that she hopes to take around four weeks off work to recover.
Dr Williams, who has been part of This Morning since 2016, shared the news on social media, receiving supportive messages from fans and colleagues, including The Apprentice star Tim Campbell. She noted that her condition, typically seen in people in their 60s, developed early due to genetics and a history of high-impact sports like rugby.
