Josie Gibson thought she was just ticking another exciting gig off her list—jet-setting around the globe for her new Channel 5 travel show Around The World In First Class.
But after indulging in luxury travel, fine dining, and plenty of champagne, she didn’t expect to walk away with a health condition that sounds like something straight out of the Middle Ages.
Before jumping into her next TV project, The 1970s Diet, Josie went for a health check.
The results? She was diagnosed with gout—a type of arthritis often associated with historical figures like Henry VIII.
“I Thought Gout Was for Old Men”
Josie admitted that she had been experiencing pain in her toes but brushed it off as nothing serious.
“I thought gout was only for old men,” she laughed.
But the reality hit home after her blood tests revealed the condition.
Reflecting on her high-flying lifestyle during filming, she said, “I was catching flights all the time, drinking loads of champagne, eating rich food in fancy restaurants, and barely sleeping.
“That’s how I ended up with gout.”
So, What Is Gout?
Gout is a type of arthritis that causes sudden, intense joint pain—often in the big toe.
It happens when there’s a build-up of uric acid in the blood, which then forms crystals around the joints.
These crystals lead to inflammation, making the affected areas hot, swollen, red, and extremely painful.
The condition isn’t just triggered by indulgence.
While rich foods and alcohol can contribute, the body naturally produces purines (compounds broken down into uric acid).
If your kidneys can’t filter the uric acid efficiently, it builds up.
Some common high-purine culprits include:
- Alcohol (especially beer and spirits)
- Red meat and offal
- Oily fish (like salmon and mackerel)
- Foods with yeast extract (think Marmite or Bovril)
Without treatment, gout can become more frequent and spread to more joints.
Medications like ibuprofen or colchicine are typically prescribed to manage symptoms.
For more support, Versus Arthritis offers free guidance via phone (0800 5200 520) or email (helpline@versusarthritis.org).
A Quick Lifestyle Reset Did the Trick
Thankfully, Josie managed to reverse her condition by dialing things back.
She started drinking more water, cut down on champagne, and gave her body time to bounce back.
“As soon as I slowed down, everything leveled out,” she shared.
Her health journey didn’t stop there.
She jumped straight into The 1970s Diet, which brought a very different kind of food experience—think boiled potatoes, liver, spam, and no modern gadgets to make life easier.
From Lavish to Low-Tech Living
The show challenged Josie to live like it was the 1970s: smaller plates, manual chores, and retro food.
What surprised her the most? The stat that only 10% of people were obese in the 70s—compared to three times that today.
Although she wasn’t thrilled by the era’s carb-heavy meals, Josie embraced the change.
She wheeled her shopping bag to local butchers and bakers, danced in a disco-style workout class, and wore vintage clothes—only to discover modern sizing has gotten more generous over the years.
A Health Wake-Up Call—and Some Confidence Gains
Before starting the experiment, Josie weighed in at 16 stone (about 102kg) with 48% body fat.
But her fitness test results were surprisingly strong—judged to be “superior,” thanks to her regular workouts.
“I can run rings around some of my slimmer friends,” she joked.
While Josie’s weight has fluctuated from a size 8 to 22, she said she feels her best around a size 12-14.
She also ruled out weight-loss injections, despite many friends using them, saying she’d rather stick to a natural approach.
Learning Lessons—and Loving Herself More
One of the biggest takeaways from the 1970s show?
Josie’s realization that her son Reggie, age seven, has picked up some modern-day laziness—like choosing the car over walking.
She praised the tight-knit family values of the past and teased that her next show will explore biohacking.
Josie has been open about her struggles with body image.
After winning Big Brother in 2010, she faced harsh criticism and admitted to crying often over online trolling.
In 2014, she lost six stone in a year, dropping from a size 20 to a size 8.
And ahead of her I’m A Celebrity stint in 2023, she slimmed down again, this time from a size 18 to 14 with the help of a personal trainer.
What’s Next for Josie?
Even with her packed schedule, Josie is finding time to focus on herself.
“It’s like a home renovation, your body,” she said.
“You always need to paint a room or make some progress.”
She’s not chasing perfection anymore—just progress.
“I’ve been really busy. And while I’d still like to lose a bit of timber, I’m happy with myself. And that’s the main thing.”
As for what’s next? She’s got her eyes on biohacking, and whatever adventures lie ahead—gout-free and fabulous.