Kirsty Gallacher Shares Update on Brain Tumour Treatment and Ongoing Hearing Challenges

Television presenter Kirsty Gallacher has provided a candid update on her health as she awaits MRI results to determine the effectiveness of recent radiotherapy for her brain tumour.

The 50-year-old appeared on Channel 5’s Vanessa Show, speaking to Vanessa Feltz about her ongoing battle with an acoustic neuroma, a benign tumour affecting the auditory nerve in her right ear. Kirsty explained that she had experienced hearing loss several years ago and underwent radiotherapy last year. The forthcoming MRI will reveal whether the treatment has successfully reduced the tumour’s size.

Speaking with measured optimism, Gallacher emphasised that while radiotherapy offers promising outcomes, the procedure is designed to shrink the tumour rather than remove it entirely. She was first diagnosed in the summer of 2021, after doctors discovered the benign growth within her inner ear canal. Surgical removal had been deemed too risky due to the potential complications.

Gallacher also reflected on the impact of her condition on daily life. She noted that her tinnitus has worsened over the past year, affecting her ability to function in noisy environments. “Sometimes, if I’m somewhere loud, I have to step away. It’s really difficult,” she said, revealing that she now relies on lip-reading to supplement her diminished hearing in the right ear.

The broadcaster acknowledged the emotional toll of balancing her health challenges with everyday responsibilities. “I’m an ordinary mother with so much to do. Managing my health alongside everything else is tough,” she admitted, offering a glimpse into the resilience required to navigate life with a chronic condition.

Gallacher’s honesty sheds light on the realities faced by those living with acoustic neuromas and hearing loss, and her willingness to share her experience continues to inspire audiences across the UK.