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Subtle warning signs of deforming 'medieval disease' that's hit Josie Gibson and is on the rise in the UK READ MORE: Doctor's warning over 'healthy' drink as fattening as Coca-Cola By JOHN ELY DEPUTY HEALTH EDITOR FOR MAILONLINE Published: 12:19 BST, 22 April 2025 | Updated: 12:28 BST, 22 April 2025 e-mail View comments Josie Gibson has revealed she is now suffering from the 'medieval disease' gout after filming a new travel show. Gout is a type of arthritis. It occurs when uric acid builds up in the blood and causes inflammation in the joints.
It was historically known as the 'disease of kings' due to its association with monarchs and overindulging on rich foods, but is increasingly on the rise in the UK. Gibson, 40, said she diagnosed after filming Channel 5 travelogue Around The World In First Class where she sampled the delights of travelling in style. But after filming the presenter said her toes had been hurting — a subtle but tell-tale symptom of the condition.
'I thought gout was only for old men but I have been living quite a lavish life,' she recalled. 'Before I filmed this show, I caught a lot of flights, I drank a lot of champagne, I ate a lot of rich food and I had little sleep. That's how I ended up getting gout.
' It came after Gibson had been enjoying the enviable lifestyle of drinking champagne and tucking in to rich food in Michelin-starred restaurants. Josie Gibson has revealed she contracted medieval disease gout while filming Channel 5 travelogue Around The World In First Class (pictured in a still from the show) Gout is a type of arthritis. It occurs when uric acid builds up in the blood and causes inflammation in the joints and Josie found out she had it after spending weeks living in luxury Blood tests gave the shock diagnosis, after spending weeks living in luxury But, after weeks of living in luxury, blood tests confirmed the shock diagnosis.
Gout is often associated with wealthy historical figures, including Henry VIII and Queen Victoria, who were known to enjoy alcohol and red meats, both of which known to cause the illness. Gibson confirmed she is now gout free after returning to a less lavish diet. 'As soon as I stopped catching all the flights and started drinking a bit more water and less champagne, it levelled itself out,' she said.
Gout occurs when the body has an inflammatory reaction to urate crystals that form in and around joints. Flare-ups can be connected to certain foods – primarily those high in the compound purine, which, when digested by the body, produces urate. These include red meat, offal, sugary drinks, alcohol, cheese and certain vegetables such as asparagus and spinach.
It is diagnosed by measuring uric acid levels in the blood. For centuries gout was known as the 'disease of kings' with monarchs like King Henry the VIII and Queen Victoria both suffering from the disease Symptoms include a sudden severe pain in a joint – usually the big toe, but it can also occur in the feet, ankles, hands, wrists, elbows or knees. Another sign is hot, swollen, red skin over the affected joint.
While easily treated in the modern era with drugs like painkillers or steroids, alongside diet changes it can cause long term problems if left untreated. These include damage to joints and hard lumps, called tophi, developing under the skin in certain parts of the body, including the ears, fingers or elbows. In recent decades, there has been an increase in gout cases linked to wider availability of high fat, sugar and salt foods which has worried experts.
Gout is estimated to affect 1.5million people in the UK. And cases are on the rise, with the number surging by about four per cent each year.
Data obtained via Freedom of Information laws found Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust recorded 5,864 cases of gout in 2023 — most cases recorded by any NHS trust and a 960 per cent increase on figures recorded in 2019. When taken at a citywide level the figure is equivalent to one in 100 Liverpudlians now having gout. University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust was another area of major gout growth with a rise of 219 per cent in cases over the period, followed by South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust which saw a 121 per cent rise in cases.
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