In a heartbreaking revelation, George Clarke opens up about his mum’s ongoing health struggles with cancer and encephalitis.
George Clarke, Strictly Come Dancing star and TV personality, became emotional while discussing his mother’s health battle on This Morning. In a deeply personal conversation with hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley, George shared the devastating impact of his mother Nicky’s ongoing health challenges, which include cancer, encephalitis, and significant memory loss.
Visibly fighting back tears, George explained the toll these conditions have taken on his mum, describing her struggles with both physical and mental symptoms. “She’s losing her memory, and she’s also lost her sense of taste and smell,” George said, his voice thick with emotion. “She has to deal with a lot every day.”
A Brave Battle Against the Odds
Nicky’s health battles began years ago when she was diagnosed with encephalitis, a brain inflammation that can cause severe long-term effects. “She was in hospital for three or four months at first and was put into an induced coma,” George recalled. At that time, doctors gave her a slim 20% chance of survival, but Nicky defied the odds and pulled through.
However, her recovery has been far from easy. “Her sleeping pattern is really hard to deal with,” George shared. “She gets up at 4 am and doesn’t really sleep properly. She struggles with loud noises—if someone sneezes next to her, her heart rate increases and she has to calm herself down.”
A Heart-Wrenching Journey
In addition to encephalitis, Nicky was diagnosed with cancer in 2025, which has further complicated her health. Despite all the challenges, George praised his mum’s resilience, saying, “Anyone that meets her says she is incredible. Even now, through her cancer treatment, you wouldn’t have a clue that anything was going on.”
George first became aware of his mum’s health struggles when, at the age of 16, he discovered she had suffered a seizure. “I was about to leave for hockey practice, and my dad went upstairs to check on mum, who had been feeling ill. That’s when he found her having a seizure,” he said. This incident marked the beginning of Nicky’s ongoing health battles.
Living With Encephalitis
Encephalitis, a condition that causes inflammation in the brain, often leads to symptoms like confusion, disorientation, seizures, and personality changes. As George revealed, Nicky’s symptoms include severe memory loss and heightened sensitivity to sounds, which has made everyday life increasingly difficult.
Despite these challenges, George expressed admiration for his mum’s courage. “She’s not letting anything stop her. She’s dealing with everything, including the cancer treatment, and you would never know by meeting her.”
A Family’s Strength
Through all of this, George has remained a pillar of support for his mother. His devotion to her is evident, and his emotional confession has touched the hearts of many viewers. George also fondly remembered his mum during his Strictly journey, dedicating his Rumba routine to her.
This deeply moving conversation serves as a reminder of the strength it takes to face such difficult circumstances with grace and determination.
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Source: https://www.thesun.co.uk/
