Louis Walsh has revealed his doctor believes he suffered a minor heart attack during Celebrity Big Brother.
Speaking on the 2 Johnnies podcast, the 74-year-old described the medical scare from his 2024 stint. The incident did not appear in the broadcast.
On the podcast, Louis has also ruled himself out of a rumoured X Factor reboot.
Louis Walsh reveals ‘minor heart attack’ in Celebrity Big Brother house
Louis said anxiety problems inside the house led him to seek help from the programme’s medical team.
He recalled: “I thought it was going to be fun. It wasn’t fun. I had anxiety problems and I had to get the medics.”
Louis added: “My doctor thinks I had a minor heart attack in there.”
He also said he struggled to sleep while the house was dark and the contestants were locked in. At night, he sometimes tried to leave the enclosed set.
Staff let him out several times for tea, he said. He praised their care, but said entering the series had been a major mistake. Louis explained: “I did it for the money but I shouldn’t have.”
Louis also claimed Sharon Osbourne was not in a “good place” during her guest stint. The pair had previously worked together as judges on The X Factor.
Louis Walsh rules out X Factor return
Separately, Louis dismissed the prospect of returning to the talent show if it comes back.
He said he “won’t be doing it as I am probably too old”.
He also doubted Simon Cowell would ask him, although he acknowledged the programme pays well. Louis suggested Sharon and Nicole Scherzinger could be suitable judges for any revival. He remembered feeling “nervous” alongside Simon and Sharon, describing both as strong personalities.
ITV cancelled the main show in 2021, following its annual run from 2004 to 2018.
Louis Walsh remains in remission from rare cancer
The latest disclosure comes after Louis spoke publicly about Waldenström macroglobulinaemia, a rare form of blood cancer.
He said he had felt tired before doctors identified the condition, which was initially missed. Louis later described the illness as manageable.
Read more: ‘We didn’t know!’ Louis Walsh calls out Simon Cowell for ‘fixing’ votes on The X Factor
He said in 2024: “I’m in remission, and I’m feeling good.”
Louis did not link that diagnosis with the suspected heart issue described on the podcast.
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