[Matt]

TOWIE star Sam Faiers has been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease following a six week illness.

The sick 23-year-old has lost a stone and a half since her appearance on Celebrity Big Brother in January.

Now tests have shown she is suffering from the inflammatory bowel disease, and could even require surgery.

Crohn’s is a long term illness, which means Sam will suffer relapses, periods of poor health, and remissions, periods of good health, for the rest of her life.

Researchers believe it is genetic, but can be set by a number of triggers including viruses, stress or dietary issues.

Sam collapsed during tests at a Harley Street clinic last month, and was rushed to a private hospital, where she was placed on a drip for 35 hours to rehydrate her.

She has since undergone blood tests, a CT scan, an ultrasound and last week, had a colonoscopy.

Poor Sam