Former BBC star Gregg Wallace was hospitalised this weekend after experiencing severe chest pains, with reports suggesting he was treated for a suspected “heart attack” on Sunday. It was reported that the TV star went to A&E in Ashford, Kent, following two days of painful symptoms.

However, it isn’t the first time that the former Masterchef host, who is currently embroiled in a scandal with the BBC, has suffered with his health. Gregg has even had issues with his heart in the past with a doctor warning that he would be heading for a huge attack if he didn’t change his ways. Other problems he has encountered include a painful stomach condition, which left him “doubled over” and could cause his “intestines to burst”, as well as suffering anxiety attacks so bad that he is “unable to leave a hotel room”. We take a look at some of the health issues Gregg has opened up on over the years.

Past heart attack scare

This most recent hospital visit isn’t the first time that Gregg has had worries about his heart. Last year, he shared that he had a lifestyle overhaul and managed to lose four stone in weight after a doctor told him he was heading for ‘big heart attack’.

He explained: “My doctor did a blood test and said, ‘your cholesterol’s going through the roof – if we don’t do something, you’re heading for a big heart attack’.”

Wallace added: “What I’ve learned about health and weight loss, is that it’s not about dieting. It’s not about being restrictive, it’s not about doing something crazy. It’s about eating properly.”

Stomach problems

Gregg reportedly lives with a stomach condition that can be so bad he “doubles up in pain”. The 60-year old previously shared that he has diverticulitis – a condition which causes pouches in the walls of his intestines and is common in people who do not have enough fibre in their diet.

And the NHS says that in rare cases, the condition can be serious and some sufferers need a colostomy. It can even lead to a hole in your bowel, which can cause a serious infection called peritonitis.

He was diagnosed in 2018 and it means there are certain foods he needs to avoid. However, the former Masterchef star has previously admitted that sometimes he forgets and things then get “quite nasty”.

Speaking to the Mirror in 2019, he said: “When they’re irritated, you’ve got to watch alcohol and spicy food. We were eating chili yesterday. Before that I had a massive skinful of beer in Dublin –and it was already playing up.” He also said: “At that point they can burst your intestine. I was almost doubled up in pain.”

Severe anxiety

Gregg previously shared his battle with anxiety – which got so bad it led to physical symptoms and saw him spend holidays with his family stuck inside his hotel room. The former BBC presenter explained he had broken out in a rash with cold sore-type symptoms because of his struggles.

Speaking on the Mirror’s Men in Mind podcast, he opened up on the symptoms he suffered. “I was having a really tough time. I was really, really stressed… so badly that the side of my face broke out into a rash, like cold sores,” he shared.

The TV presenter also opened up about having panic attacks on holiday, saying: “I used to not be able to go on holiday without getting anxiety attacks. I had to go to my hotel room and not come out and try to plan things… what my life was going to be like and how I was going.”

Gregg credits his wife Anna for helping him both mentally and physically with his impressive five-stone weight loss. Gregg admitted that his wife Anna also spurred him to reduce his alcohol consumption. He quipped: “I love a drink, especially at the rugby, but the difference is I’m probably now drinking 15 percent of what I used to.”