Television presenter Josie Gibson has shared details of a recent health scare she experienced while filming a new Channel 5 series that delves into the diets of the 1970s. In the programme, titled The 1970s Diet, Josie adopts eating habits and exercise routines typical of the decade in an attempt to assess whether such a lifestyle could improve health outcomes today.

Over a two-week period, Josie followed a diet plan carefully constructed by a doctor and nutritionist to replicate portion sizes and meal choices characteristic of the 1970s. Alongside this exploration of dietary habits from the era, she also engaged in typical exercise regimens from the time.

However, Josie revealed to Closer magazine that combining this 1970s diet with recent indulgences on a travel show—where her consumption of champagne and luxury foods was frequent—affected her wellbeing. Doctors suggested she may have developed gout, a condition historically known as "the disease of kings". In the interview, Josie expressed surprise and embarrassment at the diagnosis: "I thought only kings like Henry VIII got gout. I was like, 'I'm a 40-year-old woman; this is really embarrassing.'"

Reflecting on how the experience influenced her approach to health, Josie said: "Then I got a bit of a health scare while filming this show, so it knocked me into submission a bit; I had to do something about myself." She also noted improvements in her sleep habits, having previously managed on just four or five hours nightly or six "at a push". Now prioritising eight to nine hours of rest, Josie describes herself as a "totally different human being," which has enhanced her performance at work, boosted her memory, and helped her feel like a "better mum".

The NHS explains that gout is a form of arthritis that causes sudden, intense joint pain. It often affects the big toe but may also impact elbows, knees, wrists, ankles, and hands. Symptoms include red, swollen, and warm skin over the affected area. The condition requires medical assessment, especially for first-time occurrences or if usual treatments do not relieve symptoms.

Untreated gout attacks can last one to two weeks and may cause ongoing joint damage and recurrent flare-ups. The NHS advises seeking urgent medical attention if pain and swelling worsen rapidly, particularly if accompanied by fever, nausea, or inability to eat, as these signs may indicate a joint infection.

The 1970s Diet programme invites viewers to consider how historical eating patterns could influence modern health, while Josie Gibson's experience highlights the complex impacts diet and lifestyle choices can have on wellbeing.

Source: Noah Wire Services