Louis Walsh Reveals Rare Cancer Diagnosis Following Mel B Interview Issue

Louis Walsh dropped a shocking health diagnosis, leading his pals to open up about his struggles.

The former X-Factor judge appeared on the Friday, March 15, episode of Celebrity Big Brother, during which he revealed his rare cancer diagnosis. He called the experience a "reality check" for him.

Louis Walsh Diagnosed With Rare Cancer

Walsh shocked his housemates by telling them he was diagnosed with Waldenström macroglobulinemia, a rare type of blood cancer, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the 71-year-old music manager said he decided to keep his health battle private while on a lockdown.

"In my blood, I didn't even know that I had it until I went to the hospital, and they checked me, checked me, checked me, then they found it. They said it's a rare one," he explained.

Westlife's manager clarified that he had been cleared from the cancer, but he noted how the health issue still took a toll on his mental health that he almost got sick whenever he went past a hospital.

"It's all gone, I'm fine. It was just the shock of being sick and that word, nobody wants that word. I have blocked it out, a reality check, you see so many people sick and it's terrible," Walsh continued. "In my world it was all about pop music and all that. I didn't think of anybody getting sick or anything like that. And that was like wow, reality check, you're in the real world."

The American Cancer Society defines Waldenström macroglobulinemia as a rare type of cancer that causes a large amount of macroglobulin, an abnormal protein. The cancer, a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, can cause loss of appetite, weakness, fever, weight loss, neuropathy and sweats.

The less common signs include a swollen abdomen, enlarged lymph nodes, heart problems, kidney issues, digestive problems, infections and sensitivity to cold.

READ ALSO: Louis Walsh 'Reopened' Wounds on TV; Might Leave Show After Criticizing Meghan Markle, Pop Twins, More

Louis Walsh Also Sparks Controversy

Prior to his cancer diagnosis revelation, Walsh became the center of controversy when a video showing him touching Mel B inappropriately surfaced.

The Spice Girls member confronted him, asking him why he was touching her bottom. She looked extremely uncomfortable afterward, telling someone behind the camera that it was not appropriate.

Walsh previously addressed the issue in his interview with Today FM's Mario Rosenstock, explaining it was a joke.

"We'd be sitting there all day on the couch doing TV, and I just grabbed her a--- as a joke," he said. "She was very funny and you could say anything or do anything to her and I loved her, so I would just grab her for a laugh but it's not PC anymore."

READ MORE: Louis Walsh Video Groping Mel B on Television Resurfaced After Spice Girl's New Interview