Gogglebox star reveals devastating health battle as tearful viewers send well wishes
A GOGGLEBOX favourite has bravely opened up on her Bell’s Palsy diagnosis on the hit Channel 4 show.
The London-based star appears on the long-running series with husband and returned on-screen on Friday after being absent for a number of recent episodes.
During Sue Sheehan’s candid chat on her sofa, aired on Gogglebox last night, she spoke of her battle with the neurological disorder, which can cause temporary paralysis of the muscles in the side of the face.
Sue opened up on learning to live with the condition, which is, in most cases, temporary.
She said: “I mean I’ve actually learned to do a couple of things since this Bell’s Palsy,” to which her spouse replied: “Have you?”
She continued: “Yeah one is to speak through the side of my mouth
and the other one is chewing, chewing takes a long time.”
Steve then said: “I have offered to chew your food for you …” before Sue replied: “You have – but I’m not having that.”
Seeing the funny side, Steve then quipped: “You haven’t lost the sharp side of your tongue have you?”
Fans were quick to take to social media site X to show their support, with one posting: “All the best to Sue and big love for bringing Bell’s Palsy to the fore.”
A second put: “Sue and Steve wishing you a speedy recovery from your Bell’s palsy Sue keep being you love seeing you both on Gogglebox.”
A third added: “I love Sue and Steve wishing Sue well,” as one echoed: “Get well soon, lovely lady.”
Another added: “Fair play to Sue on #gogglebox for appearing with Bell’s Palsy.
Raising awareness can only be good, speaking as someone who is (hopefully temporarily) suffering from the same after brain surgery I can imagine how much courage that takes.”
Sue and Steve joined the show back in 2009.
OPENING UP
Sue isn’t the only TV personality to speak out about the condition of late.
I’m A Celeb star Tulisa has been candid in speaking about her year battle with the condition.
She told how she had been in “horrific pain” following her diagnosis in 2020.
The Sippin’ hitmaker told Olivia Attwood’s Too Wrong It’s Right podcast of her battle and said: “I constantly felt like my cheek was on fire. I’d have good days and bad days and on some days, I’d take steroids, which would bring it down.
“When I was doing that N-Dubz run it was at its worst, so you might see an interview, I look normal. And then you see another interview, it’s like, what the hell is going on with my face?
“And I’ve had all these health problems for years – sarcoidosis, immune disorders – and this explains all the symptoms that I was getting and could have been causing Bell’s palsy because in total there was, I think, six of them.
“They could have been growing over the years, actually triggering the Bell’s.”
Her ex and fellow N Dubz hitmaker Fazer then hailed her an “inspiration to women” for her positive approach.