Paul C Brunson, the relationship expert from Celebs Go Dating, has shared an emotional update about his wife Jill's recovery following surgery. In a heartfelt Instagram post on Thursday evening, he described how she was "not coherent and couldn't talk" after the procedure.
A touching hospital moment
The photograph posted by Brunson shows him tenderly holding Jill's hand as she lay in her hospital bed. He wrote in the caption: "Yesterday, Jill came out of surgery with a fentanyl button in her hand. The nurses told me she'd been pressing it constantly for pain relief. She wasn't coherent. Couldn't talk. Barely knew what was going on. I was standing in her room waiting when they wheeled her back in. The moment she opened her eyes and saw me, she dropped the button."
He continued: "Then she reached for my hand. And she didn't let go. She lay there holding my hand until she fell asleep." Reflecting on the moment, Brunson added: "I haven't been able to stop thinking about that moment. Of all the things she could have reached for in that moment, she reached for me. Not because love takes the pain away. It doesn't. But sometimes, the greatest comfort isn't relief from the pain. It's knowing you don't have to carry it alone."
No details on surgery
Brunson did not provide further details about the reason for Jill's hospitalisation. The couple, who have been married since 2000, share two sons together. Brunson joined Celebs Go Dating in 2018 during its fifth season and currently appears alongside co-stars Anna Williamson and Dr Tara Suwinyattichaiporn.
Celebrity support
Anna Williamson, who has worked with Brunson on the show since 2019, wrote: "I hope she's doing ok P, give her a big kiss and the recovery will absolutely get easier sending you a hug too." Love Island star Megan Barton-Hanson commented: "Sending you both my love and a speedy recovery to Jill." Loose Women's Judi Love added: "Sending love to you all and wishing Jill a full recovery."
Coleen Nolan, 61, who appeared on the 2026 series of Celebs Go Dating, wrote: "This is just beautiful... thinking of you and sending so much love to you all." Singer Tulisa Contostavlos, 37, said: "We love you Paul sending prayers + love."
Fans also expressed their support. One wrote: "This is just perfectly put. Thank you. And you are her safe space x x x." Another said: "If anyone can heal and recover it's gotta be Jill!!! Such an incredible, strong and caring person!" A third added: "Praying for our good sis Jill. Sending her all the love and great healing vibes."
Other celebrities including Nadiya Hussain, Cody Simpson, Dermot O'Leary, Oritse Williams, Juliet Sear, and Alex Beresford also sent messages of encouragement.
