Freddie Bentley has revealed he was diagnosed with liver failure aged 24 after he was rushed to hospital with yellow pupils and constant pain.
The TOWIE star, 27, discussed the worrying ordeal as he opened up about his journey to sobriety.
Freddie, who recently celebrated three years sober, explained he was kept in hospital for six weeks, three years ago, when he was diagnosed with Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).
PSC is a rare, chronic, and progressive liver disease where inflammation and scarring (fibrosis) cause the bile ducts to narrow, eventually blocking bile flow from the liver to the intestines.
Despite doctors telling Freddie he needed to get a transplant, the reality star revealed he went down homeopathic routes, which eventually made his levels return to normal.
The terrifying health scare forced Freddie to give up alcohol, which he now says is the best thing he has ever done.
Freddie Bentley, 27, has revealed he was diagnosed with liver failure aged 24 after he was rushed to hospital with yellow pupils and constant pain
Freddie, who recently celebrated three years sober, explained he was kept in hospital for six weeks, three years ago, when he was diagnosed with Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)
Freddie told OK! that while the first year of sobriety is the ‘hardest’, he now feels comfortable in his skin.
He said: ‘I went on holiday to the Dominican Republic with my family, and even though it was cocktails by the pool, I couldn’t hold alcohol down. I was constantly sick. On the flight home, Dad noticed my pupils were yellow.
‘I was diagnosed with a liver disease called primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), which basically means your bile ducts don’t function properly. There’s no cure, and eventually you need a transplant.’
He added: ‘Since then, I’ve never drunk again and never would. I get a buzz out of being sober… I barely went out at first, I didn’t feel ready. But over time, I became comfortable in my own skin and now I enjoy everything even more.’
In July, Freddie admitted in an Instagram post that he was ‘so proud’ of himself for reaching three years of sobriety.
He wrote: ‘3 YEARS SOBER TODAY! I’m beyond proud of myself to make it this far, when I was 24 I was diagnosed with a liver disease called PSC and although it was a scary time in my life, it’s the best thing that ever happened to me.
‘I’m the best version of myself and that’s all thanks to going sober. I have the best family & friends around me and couldn’t be more grateful and thankful for that.
‘I’d pick sobriety any day of the week….’
Freddie’s fame kicked off when he appeared on Netflix’s The Circle in August 2018 (pictured), which saw the star land second place after receiving a 2.67-star rating
His fame then skyrocketed after he starred in season 31 of The Only Way Is Essex in 2023, where he and Big Brother’s Ella Rae Wise (middle) saw a blossoming friendship
Freddie’s fame kicked off when he appeared on Netflix’s The Circle in August 2018, which saw the star land second place after receiving a 2.67-star rating from his four other contestants – Kate, Sian and Dan.
The Circle is a social experiment and reality competition where contestants, isolated from each other, compete for popularity and a cash prize through online interactions.
His appearance on the show kicked off his influencing career as he soon landed big brand deals from the likes of Pretty Little Thing.
He then started dabbling in modeling which saw him becoming a brand ambassador for companies such as Stone Valley Clothing.
Freddie then starred in smaller TV appearances, such as MTV’s Celeb Ex In The City and even appeared on some podcasts.
His fame then skyrocketed after he starred in season 31 of The Only Way Is Essex in 2023, where he and Big Brother’s Ella Rae Wise saw a blossoming friendship.
