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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Susan Knox

Kirsty Gallacher gives candid health update on tumour in her ear after quitting work

TV host Kirsty Gallacher is set to have radiotherapy for a benign tumour in her ear.

The GB News presenter, 47, has struggled with tinnitus since being diagnosed with the tumour two years ago.

The problem got so bad that she had to put her GB News job on hold back in 2021.

Opening up about her upcoming radiotherapy, Kirsty said: "The tumour isn't going to go until I have radiotherapy to shrink it and I'm not doing that at the moment, but I'm watching it.

"Radiotherapy is a last resort. I will do it in the summer, but it's not a nice thing to do."

Kirsty is set to undergo radiotherapy for the tumour in her ear (Vianney Le Caer/REX/Shutterstock)
The TV star stepped down from her GB News role in 2021 to focus on her health (Getty Images for Atlantis The Ro)

In November 2021, Kirsty stepped back from GB News to focus on her health after discovering the tumour in her ear.

Kirsty, who had quit Sky News to join GB News when it launched in the summer of 2021, has said that while the tumour is benign, it has caused her severe tinnitus - a term for hearing sounds that come from inside your body, rather than from an outside source.

Tinnitus often described as 'ringing in the ears', although several sounds can be heard, including buzzing, humming, and grinding.

At the time of her announcement, Kirsty also explained that the 'sleep deprivation' from the 3am starts at GB News had exacerbated her symptoms.

Kirsty said the sleep deprivation' from the 3am starts at GB News had exacerbated her symptoms (GB news)

Announcing her departure at the time, Kirsty took to social media to write: "During the summer I discovered I have a tumour in the inner canal of my right ear. Thankfully, it's benign and not hugely detrimental to my normal life.

"However, the tumour has caused severe tinnitis which makes it difficult to sleep. Sadly my 3am starts at GB News, compounded by sleep deprivation, are exacerbating my symptoms.

"I've taken the difficult decision to step back from my role on the Great British Breakfast while I focus on my health. GB News has been incredibly supportive of me and I look forward to returning to the channel as soon as I can.

"As I adjust to managing my condition, I will carry on my less disruptive work commitments and continue maintaining a healthy lifestyle and training so I can get back to my normal routine quickly."

Kirsty 'woke up one morning' and her hearing was 'muffled' in one of her ears (Getty Images)
Kirsty unveiled her diagnosis in 2021 (Can Nguyen/REX/Shutterstock)

Kirsty previously said her hearing loss came about incredibly suddenly when she 'woke up one morning' and her hearing was 'muffled' in one of her ears.

At first, she thought the hearing loss was a symptom of an oncoming cold - but when she took a flight a week later and her ear still didn't pop, she knew something was wrong.

She then booked an appointment with her GP who told her that a tumour had been discovered in her ear following further tests.

Kirsty said she knew she needed to step down from her role on GB News because her hearing loss and the constant 'buzzing' sound in her ears were effecting her.

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