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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Katie Fitzpatrick

Louis Theroux reveals health issue but says it's "no big deal"

Louis Theroux says he “probably” has alopecia after suffering from hair loss on his face. The 52-year-old journalist and documentary-maker told fans that the loss of hair around the sides of his mouth is the reason he has not grown his beard as much recently.

In a frank post shared on Instagram on Tuesday (January 10), he told his followers: “So this is what my beard grows like now due to what I think is probably alopecia. Basically I get a little triangle of stubble around my mouth and some more at the sides.

“It’s not a big deal, but I don’t want people to think I’m doing something creative with my facial hair and doing it badly, when it’s just what I look like when I don’t shave. This is also why I don’t wear a beard as much anymore. Maybe it’ll grow back. Who knows?"

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The award-winning presenter shared a series of pictures of himself on his Instagram as he explained: “It mainly happened over the course of 2022. You get a sense of how it progressed from the other two photos taken six months before and a year before.”

Radio One presenter Clara Amfo said: "I did wonder, I thought it was soot from your bike!" And rapper Professor Green replied: "I still cannot grow a beard Louis, I don’t even have to shave."

Louis shared photos to show the change (Louis Theroux/Instagram)

Adventurer Bear Grylls said about the pictures: "You look awesome in all of them!" jesuisjswee wrote: "You’re still so handsome though, keep your chin up."

And kerrielisa commented: "I think you are aging very gracefully Mr Theroux." And fat_monkey_ted told him: "On the plus side, you’re Louis Theroux!. ..and you can spend less time shaving. To be honest, I’m struggling to think of any downsides."

Alopecia is a long-term chronic inflammatory condition which affects hair follicles and leads to hair loss. Alopecia areata causes patches of hair loss while alopecia totalis causes complete hair loss on the scalp.

In Louis' latest BBC Two series Louis Theroux Interviews, he met celebrities from stage, screen and music about their successful careers and personal lives. He gave fans an insight into the lives of famous faces including Stormzy, Dame Judi Dench and Rita Ora.

After becoming best known for inserting himself into fringe political groups, cults and gangs, he adopted a more traditional interview style set in the homes and with the families of his subjects. The interview programme was renewed for a second series in November.

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