In a deeply personal and courageous segment on Monday's episode of ITV's Loose Women, panellist Kelle Bryan opened up about the profound heartbreak of hair loss following her lupus diagnosis and subsequent chemotherapy treatments. The 50-year-old singer, who rose to fame with the band Eternal in the early 1990s, joined fellow panellists Christine Lampard, Nadia Sawalha, and Jane Moore to discuss the emotional impact of hair loss, a condition affecting an estimated eight million women annually in the UK.
A Harrowing Experience in Los Angeles
Kelle, diagnosed with the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus in 1998, recounted a particularly distressing episode in her twenties when her hair "pretty much all fell out." She described being alone in a Los Angeles hotel room, preparing to shoot a music video, when she noticed excessive hair shedding in the shower. "The more I kept going like that, the more I could feel it coming out. The feeling, I can't explain it," she shared, emphasising the "horrendous" sensation of hair follicles detaching from the roots.
The Struggle with Wigs and Public Perception
The conversation turned to the practical and emotional challenges of wearing wigs, a common suggestion for those experiencing hair loss. Kelle explained that, for lupus patients, hair loss is often a direct symptom of the condition, not solely a side effect of chemotherapy. She revealed that around 2016, during a significant hair loss period, she felt unable to face the outside world. Well-meaning advice to "just wear a wig" proved problematic, as wigs would often slip or appear "wonky" without sufficient natural hair for attachment.
Moreover, Kelle highlighted the unintended social consequences, noting that wearing a wig frequently led to assumptions about a cancer diagnosis. "They would go 'Have you got cancer?' I'd go, 'No I haven't, I've got lupus.' Then you have to have a conversation," she said. While acknowledging the importance of raising awareness, Kelle stressed that during vulnerable moments, such discussions can feel overwhelming. "When you're going through it at that time, you're so vulnerable, so having those kind of conversations is not what you want," she admitted.
Finding Strength and Self-Acceptance
Reflecting on her journey over the past decade, Kelle described a shift in perspective. Having undergone chemotherapy annually and experienced hair loss multiple times, she now prepares herself mentally for the possibility. "I don't get attached to it," she stated, explaining that she wears wigs or other head coverings without emotional dependency to avoid the pain of loss. "I know it's going to come and go. So I just do it's fine, it's part of me," she added, demonstrating remarkable resilience.
Kelle offered empowering advice to other women facing similar struggles, emphasising that self-worth transcends physical appearance. "Finding yourself in that, who you are, at the core, is not about your hair. It's who you are as a woman, who you are as a person... once you've found that grounding moment, hair, no hair, you're good," she affirmed.
Recalling a 'Challenging Battle' with Lupus
The discussion echoed a previous emotional appearance on Loose Women in 2021, where Kelle detailed her "really difficult journey" with lupus. She spoke about the lack of "tolerance or understanding" for the condition and shared harrowing details of her health battles, including cerebral lupus that caused brain swelling and a seizure. This led to a lengthy rehabilitation period where she had to relearn how to walk and speak.
Kelle also described the initial symptoms that led to her diagnosis, such as mouth ulcers, hair loss, and her hand contorting into a claw shape. She highlighted the severe risks of infection, recalling how a common cold from her daughter resulted in pneumonia and intensive care admission within 48 hours.
Raising Awareness and Gratitude for the NHS
Throughout her appearances, Kelle has consistently advocated for greater awareness of lupus, urging viewers with unexplained symptoms like rashes, fatigue, or joint pain to consult their GP or visit the Lupus Trust online for support and information. She expressed immense gratitude for the NHS, crediting her "amazing consultant" and eight-monthly infusions for stabilising her condition and enabling a good quality of life.
Understanding Lupus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune condition where the body's immune system attacks its own tissues, causing inflammation and damage. Common symptoms include extreme tiredness, joint pain, skin rashes (often a butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose), and hair loss. While there is no cure, early treatment can help manage symptoms and prevent complications. The condition is significantly more prevalent in women and typically develops between ages 12 and 25.
Loose Women airs weekdays from 12:30pm on ITV, continuing to provide a platform for important conversations about health, resilience, and personal stories.
