Former Pussycat Dolls star Ashley Roberts has bravely opened up about her recent health struggles, revealing she battled both facial shingles and stomach ulcers. The 42-year-old singer and TV personality shared her painful journey during an emotional appearance on Loose Women.
A Double Health Whammy
Roberts described how she first noticed symptoms while preparing for her Heart Radio show. "I woke up with this intense pain on my face," she recalled. "At first I thought it was just a bad reaction to skincare products."
Doctors later diagnosed her with shingles - a painful viral infection that causes a blistering rash. "The pain was unbelievable," Roberts admitted. "It felt like someone was stabbing me in the face repeatedly."
The Unexpected Second Blow
As if shingles weren't enough, Roberts then developed stomach ulcers. "My body was clearly under immense stress," she explained. "The ulcers made eating incredibly painful - I was surviving on smoothies and soups for weeks."
The combination of conditions left the normally energetic star bedridden for several weeks. "I'm usually so active, but this knocked me sideways," she told the Loose Women panel.
Road to Recovery
Roberts credited her support network for helping her through the ordeal. "My mum flew over from America to look after me," she shared. "Having that love and support made all the difference."
Now on the mend, the star has returned to her busy schedule, including her radio show and judging duties on Dancing on Ice. "I don't take my health for granted anymore," she reflected. "This experience has really made me appreciate every day."
Roberts hopes her story will encourage others to listen to their bodies and seek help when needed. "We often push through pain, but sometimes our bodies are telling us to slow down," she advised.
