HOSPITAL SCARE: Strictly Star Russell Grant Gives Health Update After ‘Frightening’ Trip to A&E

A Strictly Come Dancing star has issued a health update (Image: BBC)

A Strictly Come Dancing star has issued a health update as he heads into hospital to undergo further testing, admitting it has been able to “strike fear into his heart”. Astrologer Russell Grant, who competed on the BBC dance show in 2011, took to social media this week to update his fans on his condition.

He tweeted: “How is it an MRI scan can strike fear into one’s heart like a McDonalds radio advert with the dreaded whistle still to come… tomorrow is an MRI on my lumbar region, do I go all the way in or just a little bit? Yikes!”

Russell was immediately supported by fans, as one reassured him: “You’d normally have your feet pointing into the scanner so that it scans your lumbar area, not your upper body Russell. Best wishes.”

Someone else said: “Good luck Russell, you’ve gone through so much, you’ve got this!”

While a third echoed: “Good luck, the waiting is worse!”

It comes after Russell, 74, was diagnosed with a pituitary gland tumour in 2022, and underwent surgery to remove the growth from the base of his brain. The operation took five hours.

The tumour came with its own health complications, threatening Russell’s eyesight and risking the return of his Type 2 diabetes due to the course of steroids he was taking.

Russell Grant competed in the show in 2011 (Image: BBC)

He explained: “The latest news on my post pituitary brain tumour operation is the possibility I have returned to being diabetic. I was once Type 2 but controlled it by diet. However, it’s possible taking so many steroids to keep me going they’ve increased my blood sugar.”

Speaking about the battle, Russell said: “When I was diagnosed with a pituitary brain tumour, I went into denial. I don’t know why, because my dad had the same 20 years earlier.

“I’m one of the lucky ones – I’m still here. And although I have to go through all kinds of medication daily, at least I’m in a position to say to you, please Shine a Light for all those that you know, you’ve lost, you’ve loved, or are still with you, that have suffered from a brain tumour.”