By Samantha Masters
Copyright walesonline
Strictly Come Dancing star Montell Douglas has issued a health update, after being diagnosed with a debilitating condition. The Gladiators star, recognised as Fire on the programme, endured years of “severe pain” before an emergency hospital visit served as a crucial wake-up call. Montell passed out at her home in 2021 after her hormones triggered overheating and dehydration. Following this frightening episode, she sought further medical help and was subsequently told she has dysmenorrhoea. According to the Mayo Clinic, menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea) are throbbing or cramping pains in the lower abdomen. Many women experience these cramps just before and during their periods, and the intensity can vary from person to person. In her latest update, the 39-year-old revealed that while she continues “figuring things out” and undergoing routine examinations, she finds herself “in a good place” regarding her health. “I’ve been given the options for things, and then I’ve gone with the option that suits me best and they’ve said that works well, and then I’ll stay on top of it. I’m in a good place with that,” she revealed, reports the Manchester Evening News . Delivering a vital message to fellow sufferers, she explained: “I’ve had assessments with them [Bupa] since, because it’s just important to have validation in your voice. “‘I’m feeling this, is this OK?’ Like just asking questions, rather than being like, ‘Oh it’s normal, it’s fine’ and not even getting to that stage where you’re seeking help.” Reflecting on a moment when she was left “on the floor” during training due to her pain, she added: “That’s not normal, you don’t have to just fight through pain. You’re allowed to validate your feelings, you’re allowed to feel that, if it’s too much, you [can] seek help and say, ‘I don’t think this is OK’. “It really helped my understanding of being brave, I’m brave enough, you don’t have to fight through everything. “It’s brave still to ask for help and find out what is going on with your body, because also it’s had an impact on other parts of me.” She added: “There’s different types of period pains that people have. There’s dysmenorrhoea and endometriosis but everyone gets diagnosed differently.” According to the NHS , endometriosis is a chronic condition where tissue resembling the womb’s lining develops in other locations, including the ovaries and fallopian tubes. Signs can include lower abdominal or back pain (pelvic pain), intense period pain and discomfort during or following intercourse. It’s important to consult your GP if you have concerns. Getting the treatment she required for her condition fortunately supported Montell during her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing with Johannes Radebe last year. This year, she’ll be supporting him and his new partner as a viewer, and will also be cheering on her Gladiators colleague Harry Aikines-Aryeetey. While she might not be returning to the dance floor personally, she has been demonstrating her ice skating abilities as part of Disney On Ice’s Find Your Hero initiative. Through high-speed races and precise lifts to balance and agility trials, Montell and Zack George encountered a range of challenges crafted to test both their physical capabilities and collaborative skills. During their quest, they aimed to compare their own heroic attributes with those of the Disney On Ice professionals, and demonstrate that courage extends beyond the screen or sporting arena. Montell said of her involvement: “As a young athlete, I was inspired by the people around me – coaches, teammates, and family – who showed resilience and drive every day. Taking on something new like skating with Disney On Ice reminded me how important it is to embrace challenges, even if you stumble along the way. That’s where teamwork and kindness come in – being there for each other, lifting each other up, and remembering to be kind to yourself too. “It might seem small, but kindness can completely change how someone feels, and that’s a real superpower.” Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero skates into the UK from the 29th October 2025 – 4th January 2026, where audiences will discover what it truly means to be a hero, as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and friends from the Disney Kingdom come together to bring timeless tales to life. The show will be visiting Birmingham, Nottingham, Newcastle, Aberdeen, Belfast, Manchester, Sheffield and London, with tickets on sale now at www.disneyonice.co.uk.
