Louise Thompson, the former Made In Chelsea star, has revealed the harrowing reality of living with an incurable inflammatory bowel disease, breaking down in unseen hospital footage as she shared her journey with fans. At 36, Thompson has spent nine years navigating the trauma of Ulcerative Colitis, a chronic condition where the colon and rectum become inflamed and ulcerated, sometimes dangerously.
In April 2024, her condition escalated while on holiday in Antigua, forcing her to have a stoma fitted ahead of a life-saving colon removal. Thompson recounted the terrifying episode: losing significant blood, unable to walk or even hold her two-year-old son, and needing to book an emergency flight home. She named her stoma bag “Winnie,” a nod to Winnie the Pooh, describing the complex mix of gratitude and resentment she feels toward it.
Speaking on Instagram to mark World IBD Day, Louise shared heartfelt clips and photos from the hospital, candidly admitting:
“The night before I lost an organ, I was still posting photos of my outfit. That’s the strange thing about Ulcerative Colitis — you can look completely fine while your body is quietly falling apart.”
She detailed her struggle with flares, steroid treatments that worsened her condition, and the psychological toll of normalizing the unacceptable. “One of the things people might not realize about IBD is that it can become life-threatening,” she wrote, highlighting the frustration of being dismissed by medical professionals and the danger of misdiagnosis.
Despite the trauma, Thompson has been taking steps toward healing. Returning to Antigua for the first time since her medical crisis, she shared emotional updates from her trip with her four-year-old son, Leo, and partner Ryan Libbey, describing it as an opportunity to “re-write those memories in better health.” Her recovery is supported by therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder, sunlight, exercise, and mindful routines.
Two years after having her stoma fitted, Louise opened up about the emotional journey with “Winnie,” reflecting on the strange, life-altering bond she has with the device. She wrote:
“You’ve taught me a lot. Sometimes you’re my best friend, other times I hate you… Clinging on right up until the end. Two years on, and I’m still making my peace.”
Louise Thompson’s brave revelations shed light on a condition many still barely discuss, giving hope and courage to those living with IBD while reminding the world that strength is often quiet, invisible, and profoundly human.
