Jon Tickle, a former contestant on the reality show 'Big Brother,' has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), 23 years after his initial rise to fame.
Tickle, 52, first appeared on the fourth series of 'Big Brother' in 2003 and later returned to the house after winning a public vote. He went on to co-present the Sky One television series 'Brainiac' for all six of its seasons.
The news of his diagnosis was shared by fellow 'Big Brother' contestant Ray Shah on Instagram. Shah posted photos of a recent reunion with several former housemates, noting the bittersweet nature of the gathering.
"There’s a touch of sadness to it though as Jon Tickle was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease a few months ago," Shah wrote in his post. He credited Sissy, another housemate, for organizing the reunion.
Motor Neurone Disease is a rare condition that affects the nerves and can lead to progressive loss of muscle function, impacting speech, swallowing, and breathing. It currently has no cure.
According to NHS UK, MND affects approximately 5,000 adults in the UK at any given time, with around 1,100 new diagnoses each year. Early symptoms can include weakness in the limbs, slurred speech, and difficulty swallowing.