Television presenter Kirsty Gallacher has shared a deeply worrying update about her health, revealing that her brain tumour is “growing very fast”. The 49-year-old former Sky Sports host was first diagnosed with a benign acoustic neuroma in the summer of 2021 and has been undergoing ongoing treatment, including a recent round of radiotherapy.

The emotional update came on Wednesday, 12 November, when Gallacher appeared in court and was handed a six-month driving ban following a speeding offence. During the hearing, she spoke openly about the severity of her condition and the uncertainty surrounding her current treatment plan.

Kirsty Gallacher has revealed that her brain tumour is 'growing very fast' as she shared a heartbreaking health update

Gallacher explained that although her tumour is benign, its rapid growth has caused significant concern for doctors, and future surgery may be necessary depending on how her body responds to treatment. Speaking in court, she said:

“I have a brain tumour – an acoustic neuroma. It is benign, but it’s growing very fast. They have monitored it for the last three years. I am now doing radiotherapy.”

She added that doctors are unsure whether the treatment will successfully shrink the tumour, describing the next stage as a “suck it and see” situation. Gallacher said she had taken time off work to undergo her first radiotherapy session and is now attending numerous medical appointments as specialists assess whether she will need further treatment or possible surgery in the future.

The TV personality, who shares two sons with her ex-husband, former rugby player Paul Sampson, said balancing her health struggles with parenting has been extremely challenging:

“I’m an ordinary mum with plates spinning. With my health, it’s going to be very difficult.”

Kirsty Gallacher has revealed that her brain tumour is 'growing very fast' in a heartbreaking update about her health

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Speeding Offence and Court Plea

Gallacher was caught driving 35mph in a 30mph zone in Maiden’s Green, Berkshire, on 1 April this year around 8am. She already had nine points on her licence when she was spotted by a manned roadside camera in a residential area.

During the emotional hearing at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court, she pleaded guilty but attempted to seek an exemption from the usual driving ban by presenting mitigating circumstances. Gallacher told the court she is the sole carer and financial provider for her teenage sons, aged 18 and 15.

She emphasised that they live “in the middle of the countryside”, where public transport is extremely limited. She said the ban would severely affect her younger child’s ability to attend school and extracurricular activities like rugby and golf, explaining:

“Public transport is not a feasible option where we live.”

Despite her appeals, the court issued the mandatory six-month disqualification.

Kirsty has been sharing health updates on social media(Instagram)

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Gallacher’s Previous Comments About Her Tumour

Earlier this year, Gallacher spoke on Loose Women about the frightening realities of her diagnosis. She explained that her acoustic neuroma is located deep in the inner-ear canal, close to the brain—a position that makes surgery highly dangerous.

“Mine is in the inner-ear canal, right in there, and it’s very dangerous, so it’s basically inoperable,” she said, adding that although not all acoustic neuromas are inoperable, hers poses particular risks due to its position.

She said she is “really nervous” about radiotherapy but acknowledged that the treatment offers the best hope of controlling the tumour:

“We hope that it might do the job, zap it. I’m very lucky that it’s benign but it’s the only way to manage it.”

Gallacher has been praised by fans for her honesty and strength as she continues to navigate both her treatment and her responsibilities as a mother.

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Sources:

BBC News; The Independent; Sky News; Loose Women (ITV)