I have to respect what my body needs rather than overriding it

Being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease changed Loose Women's Kéllé Bryan's whole perspective on life, she tells CAMILLA FOSTER

- CAMILLA FOSTER

LOOSE Women panellist Kéllé Bryan admits she has struggled setting boundaries in the past - particularly when she was part of Nineties girl group Eternal.

This came to a head when she was diagnosed with lupus in 1998 and was told by doctors that the autoimmune disease could have life-changing implications.

“When I got my diagnosis, a doctor told me that there was no cure and that I would probably never be able to walk again or have children,” recollects Kéllé.

“When he finished I said, ‘if you could sign me off that would be great because I’ve got to be on a plane to shoot my music video’; and I remember the room going on mentally,” reflects Kéllé. “I had to get rid of all the toxicity from my life.

“We don’t often think about the effects of toxic people and relationships, but a lot of that toxicity can seep in and cause damage too.”

The actress and broadcaster is always whizzing around the country for different projects and wears many hats - including Magic FM presenter and CEO of London-based talent management and artist agency Advocate Agency - but she says she always consults her family before taking on any new jobs.