At the beginning of November 2024, Zoe Ball, who is rumoured to be spending time with her ex-husband Fatboy Slim, announced she would be stepping down from her hosting position at the BBC Radio 2. She had been the host of the BBC's Breakfast Show for the past six years.
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Now, Ball has recently revealed she has been struggling with her health. Zoe Ball explained she suffers from TMJ, a painful condition which affects her jaw. Here is what you should know.
Zoe Ball reveals she suffers from TMJ
After six years spent hosting the BBC Radio 2's Breakfast Show, Zoe Ball recently announced she was stepping down. She has already named the presenter who would be replacing her as Scott Mills.
As she is getting ready to leave her post, the broadcaster took to Instagram, in order to explain to her fans that she has been struggling recently. In an emotional message, she revealed she suffers from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.
TMJ is the joint which links your jawbone to your temporal bone. The disease can cause jaw, neck, and shoulder pain as well as vision problems, dizziness and headaches. She wrote:
I have TMJ and wake most days with awful headaches from tension and jaw clenching.
Zoe Ball shared pictures of herself before and after receiving a lymphatic drainage massage, which aims at releasing some of the tension and pain caused by the condition. She told her nearly 740k followers on Instagram:
So grateful to Helen @thesculptresslondon for her magic. This is my face after I’ve seen her, check out my face before – yikes – picture 2. Can’t recommend her enough. She also has the greatest playlists.
She encourages others to speak up about the condition
Zoe Ball helped many other people who suffer from the same condition when she spoke out. A woman told The Sun about her own experience living with TMJ disorders. Lauren Bolton, aged 30, explained she has been suffering from issues with her jaw since she was only fifteen. At one point, the disorder got so bad, it forced her to eat a blended diet for two years. She lived off soups and shakes. Since she got diagnosed with TMJ disorders, the young woman can at least put a word on her suffering. She has already undergone two surgeries, costing about £30k, which allowed her to start working again.
As Lauren Bolton shared her everyday life with people online, strangers have donated nearly £95k for her to have a final surgery. Indeed, she needs surgery to replace her joint, as it is too damaged.
TMJ disorders are believed to affect one in ten people in Great Britain. The young woman explains how grateful she feels that a public figure is speaking out about her issue. She told The Sun:
I think it is amazing Zoe is sharing. To have someone on a platform speak out about it and the sacrifices you've got to make. She's had to come away from her role. I'm sure that wasn't an easy decision.
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Sources used:
The Independent: Zoe Ball reveals painful health condition after stepping down as BBC Radio 2 Breakfast show host
The Sun: JAW DROPPING STUFF I have Zoe Ball’s jaw condition – here are the 5 signs you’re at risk
Mayo Clinic: TMJ disorders
