Louis Walsh previously opened up about his private battle with a rare form of blood cancer, and now it’s been claimed that he was undergoing chemotherapy while filming the upcoming Boyzone documentary.
The former X Factor judge and legendary music manager formed the Irish boyband in 1993.
While filming for the No Matter What documentary, it has now been claimed that Louis was battling illness behind the scenes. However, he was determined to fulfill his commitments despite the toll of chemotherapy.
Louis’ health battle remained largely unknown until he chose to share his experience on Celebrity Big Brother last year.
Now in remission, the star is using his platform to encourage others to pay attention to potential warning signs – especially the one he initially dismissed.
Louis Walsh’s secret cancer battle
Louis first revealed his diagnosis of Waldenström macroglobulinaemia – a rare type of blood cancer – while speaking with housemates Levi Roots and Ekin-Su on Celebrity Big Brother last year.
“I was sick, and I think nobody knew I was sick,” he recalled. Louis then added: “I had cancer – a mild version, a rare one, in my blood. I didn’t even know I had it until I went to the hospital. They checked me, and then they found it.”
Even when I go past a hospital, I almost get sick.
The news had a profound impact on him, particularly the shock of hearing the word cancer.
“It’s just up here,” he said, pointing to his head. “Even when I go past a hospital, I almost get sick. It’s all gone, I’m fine. It was just the shock of being sick and that word – nobody wants that word.”
He admitted that the illness forced him to confront a reality that had previously seemed distant.
“In my world, it was all about pop music and all that. I didn’t think of anybody getting sick or anything like that. And that was like, wow, reality check – you’re in the real world.”
Treatment ‘during Boyzone documentary’
Despite his diagnosis, Louis remained committed to filming for the Boyzone documentary, ensuring he was part of the show that reflects the band’s history and impact on the music industry.
“Louis was really ill at the time, but made the effort to appear on the programme. He was having chemo for his blood cancer, so wasn’t looking his best, and it really took it out of him,” a source claimed to MailOnline.
“You will see in the documentary that he complains he is tired, but when Louis makes a commitment, he stands by it.”
Although he was struggling physically, he remained resilient.
‘I’m fixed and I’m fine’
Louis later gave a positive health update while appearing on Nicky Byrne HQ, a podcast hosted by Westlife singer Nicky Byrne.
“I was told it’s fine, it’s manageable, and I’m in remission and I’m feeling good,” Louis reassured listeners.
He went on to praise the healthcare workers who supported him during his treatment.
“They’re the real stars. Those men and women, they work tirelessly to help everybody, and they cure people. I’m fixed, and I’m fine.”
The symptom Louis ignored
Looking back on his diagnosis, Louis admitted that he ignored one key symptom: fatigue.
Initially, he attributed his constant tiredness to his demanding schedule.
“Yeah, mentally and physically, I didn’t know what to do,” he mused. “When I got checked, they didn’t find it initially. It’s a rare one… but I’m in remission, I’m fine. They can manage it.”
Now, he is using his experience to warn others not to ignore potential signs of illness.
“Please, for anyone reading this, and you don’t feel well, please, please go and get checked. If this interview encourages one person to go to a doctor, then this has all been worth it.”
Read more: Brian McFadden on ‘hatred’ for Louis Walsh amid claims he ‘horrendously’ fat shamed him
So what do you think of how Louis has handled his diagnosis? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know.
