Married at First Sight UK star JJ Slater diagnosed with life-changing disease
Topics: Channel 4, Health, Married At First Sight, TV And Film
Ella Scott
Featured Image Credit: E4 / Instagram/@johnjoeslater
Topics: Channel 4, Health, Married At First Sight, TV And Film
Married at First Sight UK's JJ Slater was rushed to hospital before Christmas on doctor's orders.
The TV personality shot to fame earlier this year when he joined the cast of MAFS UK.
After his original marriage with Bianca Petronzi failed, he was brought back into the experiment as one of the four ‘intruder’ couples.
He later coupled up with clinic consultant Ella Morgan Clark, however, the pair decided that they were better off as friends and parted ways during their final vows.
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It’s said that three weeks ago, the star - whose real name is John Joe Slater - had been losing weight quickly, and had been waking up several times every night to go to the toilet.
He told MailOnline that his body had started ‘deteriorating’ and that he was often left feeling ‘lightheaded’.
“I was on the sofa watching TV and then stood up and fell to the floor... So, I knew something wasn't right,” the 31-year-old explained.
After undergoing blood tests, JJ’s doctor claimed that he wouldn’t hear anything about his mysterious condition until after the festive period.
However, a day later, he claimed to have received voicemails from the emergency services.
“I woke up the following morning to three missed calls from 111 and voicemails saying ‘as soon as you wake up, go to hospital’,” he told the publication.
“I have never woken up so quickly. I panicked thinking it was the worst news.”
Upon arriving at the hospital, JJ was told that his sugar levels were alarmingly high and that if his symptoms got worse it could become life-threatening.
“The average person's blood sugar is 4-7 and mine was 34, so mine was super high and there are a lot of complications that come with that,” he said.
“Your blood can become acidic, which is called DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis)... they were afraid that my glucose was so high that the process had already started.
“Luckily, it hasn't so being diagnosed before that happened was crucial.”
Following the ordeal, the Essex native learned that he now lives with type 1 diabetes.
According to Mayo Clinic, this chronic condition develops because the pancreas makes little or no insulin.
Factors such as genetics and viruses may cause type 1 diabetes and unfortunately has no cure.
JJ will now monitor the amount of sugar he has in his blood by injecting himself with insulin and managing his diet.
However, according to the publication, the MAFS UK star has a phobia of needles and feels his life will be majorly impacted moving forward.
“I hate needles, I know I have lots of tattoos, but needles are my fear. Injecting myself with a liquid gives me the ick!” he admitted.
“For the rest of my life, I will have this and it's getting my head around that. I've lived my whole life until the age of 31 and now this has happened."
He added that he has never ‘had to think’ about his diet, and will now routinely inject himself with insulin four times per day.
On Friday (29 December) the reality star took to his Instagram Stories and wrote: “This time last week I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
“I consider myself fit and healthy so this was a huge shock and it has taken me some time to get my head around.
“I now start a new lifelong journey learning how to adapt whilst still ensuring I live life to the absolute fullist.”
Following his diabetes diagnosis, JJ plans to use his platform to raise awareness and work with various charities.
On the subject, he said: “I have said for years that I would like to work with charities, but I've never had a purpose.
“I am newly diagnosed and there's so much that I have to learn but I would like to help other people and get involved with Diabetes UK, I am trying to look at things in a positive light.”