
Rock star says ‘I fell off the wagon' as he reveals struggle with health condition that's forced him to cancel gigs
Mic Drop Rock star says 'I fell off the wagon' as he reveals struggle with health condition that's forced him to cancel gigs
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
BOWLING For Soup frontman Jaret Reddick has revealed his struggle with a painful health condition that's forced him to cancel gigs.
Jaret, 53, revealed he's been suffering from a 'brutal' Ulcerative Colitis flare-up since March, which he said 'really took the wind out of my sail'.
Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter
Sign up
3
Bowling For Soup frontman Jaret Reddick has revealed his struggle with a painful health condition that's forced him to cancel gigs
Credit: Getty
Sharing a selfie from a business class seat on a plane, Jaret gave his Instagram followers a candid update about his condition - and the emotional toll it's taken.
He wrote: "I fell off the wagon. Many of you have been asking about my health and I appreciate it so much. Truth is, the Ulcerative Colitis flare since March has really taken the wind out of my sail. I had to cancel shows, vacation plans, drs appts, and the list goes on.'
Jaret added that the medication used to manage his symptoms has come with its own challenges.
He said: 'The steroids make me irritable and ravenous. And I hate both those things!! My support system has been so gracious in dealing with all of it.'
The singer, who's been open about his health journey in the past, kindly asked fans to hold back on unsolicited medical advice.
Jared continued: 'I do not need your advice. I'm under several dr's care, but I know it's social media and you want me to do what you think is best. You don't know me and you don't know my health. But thank you.'
Despite the setbacks, Jaret said he's finally starting to feel better — and has no plans to slow down.
He said: 'I'm doing what I can and I'm finally feeling better. This has been a tough year, but also one of the best years of my life. And one of the best years for all things Jaret Reddick!
"Out of the 40 pounds I lost, I gained back 3. I earned it! Haha
I'm back b*****s!! Watch me spin!!
It was only back in January that guitar player Chris Burney quit Bowling For Soup after 30 years.
Bowling For Soup Bids Farewell to Guitar Legend
The band revealed the news after seven months of the pop punk trio being forced to play as a trio.
They decided to continue as a three-piece and not replace Chris, 55, as he concentrates on his health.
A statement on Bowling For Soup's Instagram read: "To All Our Amazing Bowling For Soup Fans…
"It is with a heavy heart we announce that Chris Burney has made the decision to retire from his stage-right post in the band he co-founded in 1994.
"Some recent medical developments, 30 years of rocking balls and touring non-stop have made it difficult to continue. We are bummed to not have Chris by our sides, but absolutely support his decision.
"The three of us will carry on, with Chris' Blessing, and continue to build the legacy of this band we all love so much. We will not be replacing Chris or touring with a touring guitarist. You cannot replace a legend. We were brothers when we started this journey…and brothers we remain.
"See you at the shows and in your ears."
Speaking about the decision, frontman Jaret told K!: "He and I started this band 30 years ago, almost 31 now, and at one point, he was kind of the face of the band.
"I can't say it enough: we wouldn't be us, or where we are, without him.'
3
He posted a selfie from a business class seat on a plane
Credit: Instagram
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Daily Mail
Footy star reveals the simple diet change he used to beat horrible disease that is ruining the lives of tens of thousands of Aussies
Jake Waterman enjoyed one of his best seasons in a gold and blue guernsey in 2024. The 27-year-old was the West Coast's leading goal kicker, booting 53 goals for the year, which is a career high for the key forward. But rewind the tape back, and things were very different for Waterman, who had been unknowingly suffering from a horrible illness that over 180,000 people in Australia currently suffer from. He admitted he'd wake up in the morning suffering from severe pain in his abdomen and struggled to play footy. Prior to a game in 2023, the Eagles star had been feeling nauseous, had severe stomach cramps and was suffering from diarrhoea. 'I had to fly home and get myself into a hospital because I couldn't do anything, I was too ill,' Waterman told The Daily Telegraph. Waterman (right) was diagnosed with the illness back in 2023 after spending several weeks in hospital The footy star was subsequently diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC), after spending several weeks in hospital. UC is a bowel disorder that can cause inflammation and ulceration in a person's large intestine. Inflammatory bowel disease affects the inner lining of the large intestine and is a lifelong condition. The inflammation can cause redness, swelling and pain, while ulcers can also develop on the surface of the intestines. Other symptoms can include fatigue, diarrhoea and a loss of appetite. The cause of the illness is unknown, and while there is no known cure, it can be treated using medication, dietary changes and surgery. Spending several weeks in hospital felt like a 'blur' for the footy star, who revealed that he felt like he was stuck in a vicious cycle and didn't have 'much hope.' 'I woke up every day in pain, stuck on the couch trying to sleep again,' he explained. The illness sent him into a downward spiral, with Waterman explaining: 'I was down in the dumps, feeling horrible.' 'I just wanted to feel normal again.' Waterman played only 11 games during the 2023 season, a far cry from the 20 he featured in the previous year. But the resilient footballer was not going to let the illness get to him. He made some big changes to his diet and lifestyle, removing processed foods from his diet. He has begun to focus more on his nutrition in a bid to improve his gut health. The 27-year-old admitted that, even though he is an elite athlete, he had not been much of an expert in nutrition prior to being diagnosed. Now, Waterman is staying focused on refuelling with the right foods; a vital step in helping him perform at his best and manage the illness. And it sure has worked. Amid the tribulations of 2023, Waterman bounced back from a horrible period to enjoy an excellent 2024, earning himself his first All-Australian blazer. Waterman is also an ambassador for Chron's and Colitis Australia, and is helping to raise awareness of the illness. 'I feel like I've got an obligation to speak up and shine a light on these conditions,' he said. Agonisingly, Waterman has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2025 season after he dislocated his shoulder during the Eagles' Round 11 defeat by Adelaide. During his time away from the pitch, the 27-year-old has been using his time to speak to others who have the condition. 'I recently went to a Crohn's and colitis day, and I was able to speak to some young kids and parents about their struggles and hardships,' Waterman explained. 'My situation doesn't hold a candle to what they're going through… my heart breaks for them.' After his successful 2024 campaign, Waterman re-signed with the Eagles until 2029. It was a just reward for the work he did to help lift the West Coast, who have been battling their way through a torrid few seasons. And now, after Jack Darling's departure from the Mineral Resources Park, Waterman has stepped up to fill the void, while turning down offers from Geelong and Melbourne to lure the Western Australia-born star to Victoria. 'Now it's finally done, it's reality now, and I'm just happy that I'm locked away here for the next five years,' he said.


Daily Mail
14-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Trendy soft drink loved by millions could 'protect against bowel cancer' in some people, study reveals
Coconut water might do more than quench your thirst—it could help ward off a disease that increases the risk of cancer, a study has found. Speaking of the findings on Instagram, Dr Kunal Sood, an anaesthesiologist from Maryland, USA, said: 'Even though the study was just for ulcerative colitis patients, it may be a gentle, food-based tool to support gut health with your doctor's guidance.' Ulcerative colitis is a long-term condition where the colon and rectum become inflamed, causing ulcers to develop on the lining of the large intestine. Now, experts believe that coconut water could help keep symptoms of the painful condition under control and reduce the risk of complications like bowel cancer. Common symptoms of the condition—which affects around 300,000 people in the UK—include debilitating diarrhoea, severe abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss. Symptoms can also worsen and affect other parts of the body causing fat to swell under the skin, painful joints and even weakened bones. The researchers, from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, analysed 97 patients with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis to see whether coconut water would have anti-inflammatory effects on patients' gut microbiome. They found that drinking 400ml of coconut water a day for eight weeks led to higher rates of clinical remission—where symptoms lessen to the point that they're almost gone—compared to a placebo. In a video posted to Instagram, Dr Sood who was not involved in the study, added: 'Researchers also found that it shifted the gut microbiome, increasing beneficial bacteria while reducing inflammatory bacteria. 'Its high potassium content and anti-microbial peptides may play a role in that effect,' he added. Most concerningly, patients with ulcerative colitis also have an increased risk of bowel cancer, with the risk becoming more severe the longer a patient has lived with the disease. Living with the condition for 30 years can increase the risk of bowel cancer by 18 per cent, according to studies. But now researchers say drinking just 400ml of coconut water daily could help manage symptoms and ward off the deadly disease. Coconut water has surged in popularity in recent years for its supposed health benefits as a natural source of electrolytes, vitamins and minerals for as little as £2.20 a bottle. The water is the clear substance found inside green, unripe coconuts and just one cup of it is said to contain an impressive 600mg of potassium. According to the NHS, adults should aim for around 3,500mg of potassium a day. This essential mineral helps keep fluid and sodium levels, reducing inflammation in the body. Coconut water also contains high levels of antioxidants, which can help to neutralise oxidative stress which leads to cell damage. Ulcerative colitis patients are at higher risk for developing bowel cancer because chronic inflammation can result in the continuous turnover of cells in the intestine. This rapid turnover increases the chance of abnormalities that may lead to cancer. In order to reduce the risk of the condition developing into bowel cancer, patients are currently recommended under NHS guidelines to eat a balanced diet, including plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables—like coconut water. Unfortunately, many patients are often unaware that their condition has developed into bowel cancer as the initial symptoms of the disease are similar. These include blood in the stool, diarrhoea and abdominal pain—all of which are common symptoms for ulcerative colitis patients. To try and catch the disease early, patients with ulcerative colitis are invited for regular check-ups to look for signs of bowel cancer from 10 years after their first symptoms develop. This involves examining the bowel with a camera inserted into the rectum—known as a colonoscopy. The findings come amid a surge in bowel cancer cases in young people—many of whom are perfectly fit and healthy. While research is yet to identify a specific smoking gun, groups of scientists have posed a variety of theories, including rising obesity levels, poor diets and microplastic pollution. Common symptoms of the disease include needing to go to the toilet with more urgency, rectal bleeding, blood in the stool—which may appear red or black in colour—and change in consistency. Some patients may also experience abdominal pain, bloating and unexplained weight loss. Overall, just over half of bowel cancer patients are expected to be alive ten years after their diagnosis, with 90 per cent of people diagnosed at stage 1 surviving for at least five years.


Daily Mail
04-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Inside Love Island star's agonising health battle with disease that could lead to bowel cancer
Love Island star Toni Laites is known for her brash and honest opinions on fellow cast mates. But beneath the hard exterior, she is battling a devastating condition that puts her at risk of deadly bowel cancer. The 24-year-old from Connecticut in the US, who has seen a rocky romance with co-star Harrison Solomon, was diagnosed with chronic bowel disease ulcerative colitis back in 2017. The disease, which involves severe and painful inflammation in the gut, saw the Las Vegas-based waitress spend the day of her prom in hospital for an emergency blood transfusion in order to save her life. Now, she's appearing on the show in order to 'show viewers that not all illness are visible, but they don't have to hold you back,' she said in a recent interview with ITV. Common symptoms of the condition, which affects around 300,000 people in the UK, include debilitating diarrhoea, abdominal pain, extreme tiredness, loss of appetite and weight loss. Symptoms can also worsen and affect other parts of the body causing fat to swell under the skin, painful joints and even weakened bones. Most concerningly, patients also have an increased risk of bowel cancer, with the risk becoming more severe the longer a patient has lived with the disease. The severity of symptoms can vary depending on how much of the rectum and colon is inflamed. For some people, it can have a significant impact on their daily lives, the NHS says Living with the condition for 30 years can increase the risk of bowel cancer by 18 per cent, according to studies. Around 32,000 cases of bowel cancer are diagnosed every year in the UK, with rates of the deadly disease surging in under 50s. Before entering the Love Island villa, Ms Laites, who goes by Toni, admitted that she made headlines in local newspapers at 17-years-old after opening up about her condition. She told ITV: 'I had to go to hospital the same week as my senior prom for an emergency blood transfusion. 'Nothing that exciting happens in Connecticut, so it was a big deal and a few articles were written about me.' While Ms Laites didn't say why she needed the transfusion, colitis patients are at an increased risk of developing anemia—a severe deficiency of iron in the blood that can cause life-threatening problems. This happens due to inflammation in the large intestine that can prevent the body from absorbing iron properly, as well as internal bleeding caused by the disease. A blood transfusion is the most common treatment for severe anemia. According to the UK Crohn's and Colitis UK charity, the disease is most often diagnosed in people aged between 15 and 25. While the condition cannot be cured, treatment can help relieve symptoms during a flare-up and prevent symptoms from returning. This can be achieved through drug treatments, but in some cases surgery—which involves removing some or all of the bowel. This involves the small intestine being diverted out of an opening in the abdomen known as a stoma. This surgery can also be used to aid recovery following the removal of any cancerous cells from the bowel. Ms Laites' story comes amid a surge in bowel cancer cases in young people—many of who are perfectly fit and healthy. While research is yet to identify a specific smoking gun, groups of scientists have posed a variety of theories, including rising obesity levels, poor diets and microplastic pollution. Common symptoms of the disease include needing to go to the toilet with more urgency, rectal bleeding, blood in the stool—which may appear red or black in colour—and change in consistency. Some patients may also experience abdominal pain, bloating and unexplained weight loss. According to the NHS, many ulcerative colitis sufferers are often unaware they also have bowel cancer, as the initial symptoms are very similar. However, people with the condition will be offered regular check-ups to look for tell-tale signs of bowel cancer, helping doctors diagnose the disease early. Overall, just over half of bowel cancer patients are expected to be alive ten years after their diagnosis, with 90 per cent of people diagnosed at stage 1 surviving for at least five years. It comes as ulcerative colitis patients are set to benefit from a new drug that can eliminate debilitating symptoms in just three months The once-a-month jab deliver a drug that binds to immune cells that cause the damage, significantly reducing symptoms. Earlier this month, the drug safety watchdog, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, gave the green light for guselkumab to be prescribed in the UK to patients who have failed to respond to other treatments.