Big Brother star Jon Tickle has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease, his former housemate Ray Shah has revealed following a reunion of the show’s fourth-series contestants in London.
Tickle, 52, became known to viewers after appearing on Big Brother in 2003. Although he was evicted, he later returned to the house after winning a public vote to bring back a former housemate.
Shah shared photographs from the reunion on Instagram, saying the group had finally managed to meet up 23 years after appearing on the programme.
“It has taken us 23 years but we finally got to have a big brother reunion with most of the gang,” he wrote.
He added: “There’s a touch of sadness to it though as Jon Tickle was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease a few months ago but fair play to Sissy, she helped get us all together.”
Shah said the group had already begun planning another gathering, adding: “We will get EVERYONE back this time. Until the next time legends.”
Fellow housemate Justine Sellman described the evening as “such a magical night seeing everyone again”, while sending “big hugs and love” to the group.
Jon Tickle’s television career after Big Brother
After his appearance on Big Brother, Tickle went on to co-present the Sky One science and entertainment programme Brainiac, appearing in all six series.
Motor neurone disease affects the nerves responsible for movement in the brain and spinal cord. The condition can progressively affect a person’s ability to move, eat and breathe, and there is currently no cure.
It affects about 5,000 adults in the UK at any one time, with approximately 1,100 people diagnosed each year. Early symptoms can include weakness, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing and weight loss.
