Shaun Ryder speaking on GMB
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Celebrity Gogglebox star Shaun Ryder on ‘hereditary’ thyroid issues he suffers from: ‘It controls everything’

Shaun has suffered a few health issues over the years

Celebrity Gogglebox star Shaun Ryder once opened up about a “hereditary” health condition he suffered from.

The 61-year-old previously spoke about his health issues and said he has “thyroid problems” which “controls everything”.

The star also underwent hip surgery in 2019.

Shaun Ryder at ITV Palooza
Shaun has suffered a few health issues over the years (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Celebrity Gogglebox star Shaun Ryder on health issues

Speaking to The Guardian in 2021, Shaun explained: “I’ve got hereditary thyroid problems and once that goes, it controls everything. The hip is the same – my mum has two fake hips.

“I was a heroin addict for 20-odd years, but there’s been no damage off that. Yes, my teeth went from the crystal meth and crack cocaine. But apart from cold turkeys, I’ve never had anything wrong with me until I was 53, when all this shit started.”

Shaun also had alopecia. He said it happened when he was forced to stop using testosterone gel prescribed for his underactive thyroid.

Bez and Shaun Ryder on Celebrity Gogglebox
Shaun appears on Celebrity Gogglebox with Bez (Credit: Channel 4)

The star added: “My blood cells were all turning white or turning red or whatever. I think the specialist must have panicked because she didn’t want the stroke of a celebrity on her hands. So they stopped it, and within a week I had no beard, no hair, no hair on my body, the lot! But now the testosterone is back at the normal level and I’m getting these long wiry hairs that I have to shave every three weeks.”

I’ve got hereditary thyroid problems and once that goes, it controls everything.

During a stint in the I’m A Celebrity… South Africa jungle in 2023, Shaun opened up about his hip issues.

Speaking ahead of the series airing, Shaun said: “I had been in there two nights, and boom, [bleep] hell, my hip had come out.

Shaun Ryder speaking on GMB
Shaun has opened up previously about his thyroid issues (Credit: ITV)

“I pushed it back in myself. I didn’t want to see a doctor. Paul Burrell helped me out, he was a professional.”

Read more: I’m A Celebrity favourite Jake Quickenden announces he’s expecting second baby with wife after a ‘long time of trying’

Shaun originally appeared on I’m A Celebrity in 2010, when he finished as runner-up.

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Celebrity Gogglebox airs tonight from 9pm on Channel 4. 

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Rebecca Carter
Associate Editor (News)