I’m A Celebrity’s Alex Scott emotionally opens up about ‘serious’ illness that she will have to fight ‘for the rest of her life’

Alex Scott got emotional on Friday as she opened up about a tough health battle she will have to live with for the rest of her life.

The sports pundit, 41, revealed she found out about the illness after previously suffering an injury from a slide-tackle during a football training session.

In a new advert, I’m A Celebrity star Alex promoted pain-relief gel FlexiSeq as she revealed she has ‘osteoarthritis’. 

She explained: ‘It was a tough training session, and a slide-tackle from one of my teammates rolled my ankle. 

‘I immediately knew “this is serious”, I was in chronic pain and [the doctor] told me I’ve got osteoarthritis.

‘Arthritis? I’m in my twenties! I haven’t got arthritis.’

Alex Scott got emotional on Friday as she opened up about a tough health battle she will have to live with for the rest of her life 

The sports pundit, 41, revealed she found out about the illness after previously suffering an injury from a slide-tackle during a football training session 

Alex said she ‘found a way’ to continue her football career as she managed the pain but still has to live with the ‘problem for the rest of her life’. 

She continued: ‘I’ve now got to live with this problem and manage it for the rest of my career. And not only my career, what’s after my career – my life.’ 

The former Arsenal defender also remarked that her diagnosis had nothing to do with her decision to retire in 2017, explaining that she simply wanted to start a new chapter of her sporting career. 

‘[The condition] was never going to stop me doing what I wanted to do, what I wanted to achieve. You find a way. Yes, it’s an invisible injury, but it really doesn’t have to stop you.

‘That was hard for me at first as I’m someone who wants to push myself. But when the pain of osteoarthritis kicks in that’s not always an option.’

Alex explained how she has learned when she is ‘struggling’ with osteoarthritis now and knows when to ask for help.

She added: ‘Recently my arthritis has been really quite bad. I went running one day and the next day my ankle was just awful.

‘I was going to a fashion event in London that evening and I couldn’t physically get my ankle into the boots I was meant to be wearing.

‘It was a tough training session, and a slide-tackle rolled my ankle. I immediately knew “this is serious” I was in chronic pain and [the doctor] told me I’ve got osteoarthritis,’ she revealed

Alex continued: ‘[The condition] was never going to stop me doing what I wanted to do, what I wanted to achieve. You find a way. It’s an invisible injury, but it really doesn’t have to stop you’

‘As a result of that I had to go back to a physio to get some help. The key for me is being able to acknowledge when you’re struggling. There is no shame in putting your hand up and saying ‘I need help.’

Alex’s personal admission comes as her girlfriend Jess Glynne discussed whether she will be proposing to her after the football star hinted she was waiting for the singer to pop the question. 

Alex has told her campmates ITV’s I’m A Celebrity that she is ‘madly in love’ with the Hold My Hand hitmaker.

The BBC presenter opened up to her campmates Ruby Wax and Shona McGarty, saying: ‘I think before her, I never knew happiness… we fell madly in love.’

‘I will get married to her, just waiting for her to ask,’ she joked – and after tuning into the episode, Jess, 36, told her followers she ‘better go get a ring’. 

Appearing alongside Alex’s mum Carol McKee on This Morning on Friday, Jess further opened up on her engagement plans – but failed to confirm whether she had been shopping for a diamond just yet. 

Quizzed by hosts Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond, Jess was asked: ‘She’s been talking about marriage. Have you got the ring yet?’  

‘Yes,’ Jess replied, before quickly trying to cover her response, ‘The pressure! Why do I have to ask her? It’s a weird one, you never know who will ask who but…’ 

Flicking her hair over her shoulder, Jess offered up a suggestive smile towards the host, as Alison, 50, added: ‘You know you’ve got the ring! Watch this space!’

It comes as Alex’s girlfriend Jess Glynne discussed whether she will be proposing to her after the football star hinted she was waiting for the singer to pop the question (pictured Alex’s mum Carol McKee and Jess on This Morning)

Jess added of Alex’s heartfelt and open chats with campmates on the show: ‘I’m just proud of like the conversation she’s having.

‘Her bravery and just being like true to who she is. That for me is like coming across so well, I think she’s doing well.

‘She struggled to have certain conversations anyway, and she’s so private and whatever. Then you see that and I’m like, “Wow. She’s really feeling comfortable.”‘

Alex admitted in camp how she found sex with women ‘more passionate’ as she spoke about her sexuality, telling her co-stars: ‘It’s completely different with women, especially for me.   

‘It’s always been about a deep emotional connection which then makes the sex more passionate than ever anyway because you have such a deep bond between you.’

Carol joked: ‘I’m not too impressed… I really didn’t want to know about it!’

Nonetheless, she’s proud of Alex and added: ‘I still think she’s got a lot more to give. She’s not actually really showing her full self yet.’ 

I’M A CELEBRITY 2025: MEET THE CAMPMATES

 KELLY BROOK

Kelly has already landed in Australia and is ready to take on the jungle 

AGE: 45

OCCUPATION: Model and TV star 

FAMOUS FOR: Kelly is best known for being a model, who has posed for Page Three. She is also an actress and a panelist on ITV’s Loose Women.

 

MARTIN KEMP 

Will Martin be able to handle the jungle life  when he sets up camp? 

 AGE: 64

OCCUPATION: Musican/actor 

FAMOUS FOR: Martin is arguably best known for being part of 70s band Spandau Ballet, as well as playing Steve Owen in EastEnders. His son is Roman Kemp and is married to Shirlie Holliman. 

 

LISA RILEY 

Lisa is a well known actress in the UK, but is best known for being Mandy Dingle 

 AGE: 49

OCCUPATION: Actress 

FAMOUS FOR:  Lisa has played a number of roles over the years, but is best known for playing Mandy Dingle in Emmerdale. She took on the role in 1995.  

 

JACK OSBOURNE 

Jack is no stranger to the cameras after starring in various reality shows with his family

 AGE: 40

OCCUPATION: Media personality 

FAMOUS FOR: Jack is best known for being part of the famous Osbourne family alongside mum Sharon, dad Ozzy and sister Kelly. They starred in their own MTV show The Osbournes.

 

 AITCH

Aitch is best known for his singing talents, but will he be able to bring home some stars?

 AGE: 25

OCCUPATION: Rapper 

FAMOUS FOR: Aitch’s real name is Harrison James Armstrong. He shot to fame in 2018 with his song Straight Rhymez. 11 of his songs have reached the top 10 singles chart, including Taste (Make It Shake). 

 VOGUE WILLIAMS 

Vogue is known for her glamorous lifestyle so how will she fare in the Jungle?

AGE: 40

OCCUPATION: Podcast host

FAMOUS FOR: Irish presenter Vogue first found fame in 2010 when she appeared on reality series Fade Street. She went on to appear on The Jump with her husband Spencer Matthews.

 

 

  SHONA MCGARTY

EastEnders legend Shona has swapped Albert Square for creepy crawlies and animals

AGE: 32

OCCUPATION: Soap star/actress   

FAMOUS FOR: The British public know Shona for portraying Whitney Dean in EastEnders for 16 years. She quit the role last year to pursue other things.

 

RUBY WAX 

Ruby is heading into the jungle to take part in this year’s series 

 AGE: 72

OCCUPATION: Actress/comedian and mental health campaigner 

FAMOUS FOR: Ruby has made a name for herself by interviewing people on her TV shows, but now focuses on mental health. 

 

EDDIE KADI 

Will funnyman Eddie be able to keep the morale up in camp? 

 AGE: 42

OCCUPATION: Comedian/ presenter 

FAMOUS FOR: The star gets up on stage to show off how funny he is, but he also presents BBC Radio 1Xtra. He has also taken part in Strictly Come Dancing. 

 

ALEX SCOTT 

Alex is swapping the football pitch for camp in Australia

 AGE: 41 

OCCUPATION: Sports presenter pundit 

FAMOUS FOR: Alex is a former football player who has payed for Arsenal, England and GB. She is a respected sports presenter now. 

 

 ANGRYGINGE 

AngryGinge is a Twitch and YouTube star that many young viewers will know 

 AGE: 23

OCCUPATION: Social media star

FAMOUS FOR: AngryGinge is best known for his Twitch and YouTube content that is focused on football. His real name Morgan Burtwistle. 

 

TOM READ WILSON 

He has a wonderful way with words but that won’t help him in a Bushtucker Trial

AGE:39

OCCUPATION: TV personality

FAMOUS FOR: Tom is best known for his work on E4’s Celebs Go Dating. As the agency’s receptionist he’s always on hand to give advice to the unlucky-in-love celebrities.