Kirsty Gallacher has revealed the first symptom of her benign ear tumour and why she told doctors not to operate on her as she opened up about her health woes.

The television presenter, 49, stepped away from her high-profile job on the breakfast show at GB News in December 2021 after a health scare.

She discovered she had a benign tumour in her ear after doctors had warned her she could have had a brain tumour.

But mum-of-two Kirsty doesn’t want doctors to operate on it as it is located so close to her brain – meaning she has to now consider having targeted radiotherapy instead. 

She told The Sun of her health woes: ‘I was doing GB rehearsals and I had my earpiece, but I couldn’t hear. I went to see a doctor, who said it was an emergency as it could be a brain tumour.

‘I had to have an MRI and doctors discovered I had an acoustic neuroma [a tumour in the inner ear canal].

Kirsty Gallacher has revealed the first symptom of her benign ear tumour and why she told doctors not to operate on her as she opened up about her health woes

The television presenter, 49, stepped away from her high-profile job on the breakfast show at GB News in December 2021 after a health scare

‘We have to monitor it as I don’t want them to operate on it as it’s so close to the brain.

‘I have to have targeted radiotherapy for it, so I’m having to think about that and when I will do it.’

She added that she didn’t feel ‘strong’ when she found out about it and was thinking about her kids Oscar, 18, and Jude, 15, and what could ‘happen to her’.

Kirsty did add however that she feels ‘lucky and grateful’ that it wasn’t a worse diagnosis.

Speaking candidly on Loose Women in 2022, Kirsty also detailed the health woes, saying: ‘I woke up in the summer one morning and I couldn’t hear very well in my right ear.’

She went on: ‘I thought ”it will pop at some point”. It didn’t pop. I went on a plane the next week, it didn’t pop.

‘I went to the doctor and she said ”how long has this been going on?” and I said ”two weeks”.’

The TV star continued: ‘She checked and said you’re very healthy, this is an emergency. I said ”could it be a tumour?” and she said ”listen, it probably isn’t, but you’re going to see a consultant tomorrow”.’

She discovered she had a benign tumour in her ear after doctors had warned her she could have had a brain tumour 

But mum-of-two Kirsty doesn’t want doctors to operate on it as it is located so close to her brain – meaning she has to now consider having targeted radiotherapy instead

Sharing her experience with a consultant, Kirsty continued: ‘He said ”I’m gonna give you a steroid injection into your eardrum.”

‘I went back the week after, he said it was an MRI scan.’

Kirsty then shared: ‘They found I had a very small tumour right in the inner ear canal.’

In November 2021, Kirsty said she would ‘step back’ from her presenting role with the channel due to ill health.

The TV personality – who had co-presented The Great British Breakfast since July 2021 with Simon McCoy – told how a benign ear tumour had caused her ‘severe tinnitus’ and had left her unable to work.

In an emotional statement posted to her Instagram at the time, Kirsty said the early 3am starts for her show ‘compounded by sleep deprivation’ had exacerbated her symptoms.

She penned: ‘During the summer I discovered I have a tumour in the inner canal of my right ear. Thankfully, it’s benign and not hugely detrimental to my normal life.

Read More Smitten Kirsty Gallacher, 49, opens up on future marriage plans with ex-rugby player boyfriend Darren Clayton, 38

‘However, the tumour has caused severe tinnitus which makes it very difficult to sleep.

‘Sadly my 3am starts at GB News, compounded by sleep deprivation, are exacerbating my symptoms.

‘I’ve taken the difficult decision to take a step back from my role on the Great British Breakfast while I focus on my health. 

‘GB News has been incredibly supportive of me and I look forward to returning to the channel as soon as I can.

‘As I adjust to managing my condition, I will carry on with my less disruptive work commitments and continue maintaining a healthy lifestyle and training so I can get back to my normal routine quickly. Kirsty x’

Tinnitus is the name for hearing noises that are not caused by sounds coming from the outside world.

Gallacher had co-presented The Great British Breakfast on GB News before she left amid her diagnosis

She added that she didn’t feel ‘strong’ when she found out about it and was thinking about her kids Oscar, 18, and Jude, 15, and what could ‘happen to her’ 

It’s not always clear what causes tinnitus, but it is often linked to some form of hearing loss, Ménière’s disease, conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, multiple sclerosis and anxiety or depression.

The condition, which can cause ringing or buzzing in the ears as loud as a jet engine, affects 7.1million Britons.

Tinnitus most affects people aged 55 to 75.

Kirsty began her career at Sky Sports News in 1998 and hosted Kirsty’s Home Videos, RI:SE and Simply the Best before returning to Sky Sports News from 2011–2018.