Rebecca Adlington revealed that she’s been diagnosed with a life-changing disease in an update on Wednesday.
The Olympic swimmer, 36, made a plea to UK Government in a short clip in which she explained she has coeliac disease.
In the video shared to Coeliac UK’s Instagram, she said: ‘Hello everyone. As someone newly diagnosed with coeliac disease.
‘I have definitely quickly learnt how vital gluten-free prescriptions are for managing this condition.
‘But in some areas, these prescriptions are totally being cut. Coeliac UK is handing a petition to Number 10 to make sure we’re heard, so please sign and share the petition today.’
Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition which means your body decides that healthy cells are foreign and so it sends antibodies out to ‘protect’ your body.
Rebecca Adlington revealed that she’s been diagnosed with a life-changing disease in an update on Wednesday
The Olympic swimmer, 36, made a plea to UK Government in a short clip in which she explained she has coeliac disease
When someone has coeliac disease their body triggers an immune response to gluten entering their systems.
During this process, antibodies are released that damage the lining of their gut and can cause a number of unpleasant symptoms, which aren’t all tummy-related.
In the caption Coeliac UK revealed they had closed their petition after reaching 22,826 signatures.
They added: ‘On Wednesday 19 March, we delivered the petition directly to 10 Downing Street, presenting our call for action to the UK Government.
‘The petition, supported by individuals from across the UK, highlighted the importance of protecting access to gluten free prescriptions for people with coeliac disease, particular those most in need.
‘Among those taking part in the hand-in were supporters with first hand experience of seeing support withdrawn in their areas.’
‘Kate Powell, who has two daughters with coeliac disease is from Hampshire & Isle of Wight which removed provision in early 2024 whilst volunteer Ceira Reading saw provision taken away by her local area of Leicestershire earlier this year. ‘
They continued: ’We were proud to be joined on the famous steps of 10 Downing Street by supportive politicians, including Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville, Tom Rutland MP, Sharon Hodgson MP, and Amanda Hack MP, who stood with us in calling for equal access to gluten free prescriptions.’
In the video shared to Coeliac UK’s Instagram, she said: ‘As someone newly diagnosed with coeliac disease. I have quickly learnt how vital gluten-free prescriptions are’
The post concluded: ‘We would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who signed the petition, helping us push this crucial cause forward, and to all those who supported our campaign, including the brilliant Rebecca Adlington, for her incredible backing.’
Rebecca recently revealed she ‘fell out of love’ with her body as she struggled to cope with the ‘heartbreak’ of two miscarriages.
The former Olympic swimmer lost a child at 12 weeks in August 2022.
A year later, she miscarried daughter, Harper, at 20 weeks and had to undergo an induced labour and stillbirth.
Now Rebecca has admitted she fell into a ‘rut’ during the ‘dark’ period as she took a step back from fitness.
The athlete told OK! Magazine: ‘I went through a period about two years of not going to the gym at all.
‘I’d had my miscarriage and I went through this phase where I fell out of love with my body, I was just like “Ugh”.’
She credited going to counselling with husband Andy Parsons with helping her heal and revealed she now attends gym classes and Pilates to keep fit and healthy as well as going swimming to help with her mental health.
Rebecca, who shares daughter Summer, nine, with ex-husband Harry Needs and three-year-old son Albie with her husband Andy Parsons, said: ‘I swim on a Sunday but I don’t really count that as exercise.
‘I feel like Sunday’s swim is more for my mental health than anything else.
‘I don’t have my phone attached to me, I don’t go fast or anything like that.
‘I literally use it as a time to let my mind wander and switch off, nobody is saying “Mummy” or calling me or asking me to do anything.’
Rebecca went on to credit couples therapy for helping them accept the devastating tragedy and work through the ‘dark cloud’ of their grief after attending for several months.
Rebecca recently revealed she ‘fell out of love’ with her body as she struggled to cope with the ‘heartbreak’ of two miscarriages (pictured with with husband Andy Parsons, their son Albie, three, and her daughter Summer, nine, who she shares with ex Harry Needs)
In September, the athlete shared some of the touching ways her family has paid tribute to Harper.
‘We’ve got a cherry blossom tree, we’ve got her little handprints on the wall in the living room with the family, Albie and Summer they always go “Harper’s my sister,”‘ she said on Loose Women.
‘Even on holiday last week there was a little chapel where we were in Greece and they lit a candle for Harper.
‘She’s part of our family, she will always be part of our family, and we’re able to discuss her now in a way that we’re not in floods of tears.’
If you have been affected by this story, you can seek advice at www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk or by calling 01924 200 799
