Television presenter Kirsty Gallacher has delivered a concerning health update regarding her benign brain tumour while simultaneously expressing fury at a judge's decision to ban her from driving for six months following a speeding offence.
Court Appearance Reveals Tumour Development
The 49-year-old broadcaster appeared at High Wycombe Magistrates' Court where she admitted to speeding but requested not to be disqualified from driving due to family and work commitments. During proceedings, Gallacher disclosed that her acoustic neuroma – a benign brain tumour located in her right ear canal – is 'growing very fast' according to recent medical monitoring.
Gallacher explained to the court that she has been undergoing radiotherapy treatment but remains uncertain about its effectiveness. 'We don't know if the radiotherapy is going to work, if it will shrink [the tumour] or not,' she stated, describing the situation as 'a bit of a suck it and see' scenario.
Financial and Family Pressures Revealed
The Gold Radio presenter, who earns £150,000 annually, argued that as the sole financial provider for her two children, she couldn't afford regular taxi fares. Her legal representative, Sophia Dower, described Gallacher as 'the epitome of a one-woman-band' who manages all family responsibilities alone.
Despite having approximately £80,000 in savings, District Judge Arvind Sharma dismissed her appeal against the driving ban, stating that her circumstances were 'manageable' and suggesting she use taxis for essential journeys. The judge specifically questioned her claim that her son required morning lifts.
Health Journey and Ongoing Challenges
Gallacher's health struggles began four years ago when she received her acoustic neuroma diagnosis after experiencing sudden hearing loss in her right ear. The condition has left her permanently deaf in that ear and suffering from tinnitus.
The former Sky Sports presenter has previously revealed that her tumour is inoperable without 'very dangerous' surgery. She has spoken openly about the challenges of hearing loss, including difficulties in noisy environments and relying on lip-reading to communicate effectively.
In October, Gallacher shared preparations for her radiotherapy treatment on Instagram, posting images of medical equipment including what she humorously referred to as her 'Hannibal Lecter mask' used during procedures.
Alongside the six-month driving ban, Gallacher was fined £1,044 for the speeding offence. Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail afterwards, she described the decision as a 'shock' and criticised the judge for showing 'no empathy' toward her situation as a working mother managing serious health issues.
