Charlie Stayt is best known for his work on BBC Breakfast. He’s been on the show for more than 15 years, practically becoming part of the furniture.
But the broadcasting legend, who is set to appear in a repeat episode of Beat the Chasers: Celebrity Special this Sunday (November 2), has had his fair share of challenges over the years.
What many people don’t know is that he once suffered from a painful health condition related to his foot.
Charlie Stayt shares his experience with gout
Back in 2014, Dr Amrit Ryatt appeared on BBC Breakfast to talk about gout. According to Arthritis UK, gout is a form of arthritis. It occurs when uric acid crystals form in and around a person’s joints.
“It’s an inflammatory type of arthritis,” Dr Ryatt said at the time. “It’s the most common form, and it can affect one or several joints in the body, giving a variety of symptoms — some short, acute symptoms, and if left untreated, it can go on to cause other complications.”
She continued: “Women have likened it to childbirth, and men also describe it as very painful too. Some people can’t even tolerate having a simple bed sheet touching the joint that’s affected. It’s that painful.”
During that time, a study suggested that 1 in 40 people in the UK had gout. And during the broadcast, Charlie, who was reportedly facing bankruptcy in July, revealed that he was one of those people.
“I’m not over keen on sharing my medical history on television, but I’ve had gout in my foot and it is extraordinarily painful and happened very quickly – literally, sort of, overnight,” he shared.
“And it makes you question, because it’s linked to diet a lot, traditionally it’s alcohol for example.”
Charlie Stayt ‘under review’ by the BBC
Back in August, news emerged that Charlie was “under review” by the BBC after several employees were said to have submitted complaints about him.
“A number of people have come forward to share their experiences with Charlie, so the BBC has officially moved to place the complaints under review,” a source alleged to The Sun.
The complaints were said to form part of a wider scandal about several high-profile staff members’ alleged “bullying” and “rudeness” toward lower-level employees. His co-host, Naga Munchetty, has also faced complaints, along with BBC Breakfast’s editor, Richard Frediani.
At the time, a BBC spokesperson told Entertainment Daily: “While we do not comment on individual cases, we take all complaints about conduct at work extremely seriously. We will not tolerate behaviour that is not in line with our values. We have robust processes in place and would encourage any staff with concerns to raise them directly with us so they can be addressed.”
It is unclear whether Charlie’s review has been completed.
You can watch Beat the Chasers: Celebrity Special at 8pm on ITV or ITVX on Sunday, November 2.
Read More: Charlie Stayt under fire for question to Carol Kirkwood on BBC Breakfast: ‘He owes her an apology’
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