TOWIE star Sam Faiers has been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease following a six week illness.

The sick 23-year-old has lost a stone and a half since her appearance on Celebrity Big Brother in January.

Now tests have shown she is suffering from the inflammatory bowel disease, and could even require surgery.

Crohn’s is a long term illness, which means Sam will suffer relapses, periods of poor health, and remissions, periods of good health, for the rest of her life.

The main symptoms are abdominal pain, weight loss and ulcers.

(Image: Xposure)

Researchers believe it is genetic, but can be set by a number of triggers including viruses, stress or dietary issues.

Sam collapsed during tests at a Harley Street clinic last month, and was rushed to a private hospital, where she was placed on a drip for 35 hours to rehydrate her.

She has since undergone blood tests, a CT scan, an ultrasound and last week, had a colonoscopy.

Now, as she starts filming the new series of ITV 2 series The Only Way Is Essex, she has been placed on a liquid only diet to rest her bowel after a six week long illness

(Image: Channel 5)

The 7 stone 3lbs star, who is slowly managing to put weight back on, will be drinking six nutrient shakes filled with lipids, protein and carbohydrates every day for the next month and a half.

A source says: “It’s Sam’s diet that will be most affected by the diagnosis. She’s been told that if she must eat solid food in the next few weeks, she must stick to chicken, eggs and white fish.

“She is suffering from lots of ulcers, so she needs to give them time to heal before she looks at the long term effects of diagnosis.

“At the moment, she is just trying to cope with the excruciating stomach cramps. That has been the most difficult thing. Now, she is working with her gastroenterologist to see if she can work around her illness.

“Sam won’t let things hold her back, she’s dealing with it in the best way she can. She knows she can’t change anything, but she can educate herself about the disease.”

(Image: Getty)

Sarah Rogers from Crohn’s and Colitis UK says the star could face surgery after her diet.

She says: “Sadly, fifty per cent of people diagnosed do require surgery. But if she is placed on the right drugs, and if the liquid diet has the desired effects and it all settles down, if she’s lucky, she can avoid surgery.”

Sarah adds that most people are diagnosed with Crohn’s at Sam’s age, 23.

(Image: Twitter)

Prior to her diagnosis, the TOWIE star said of her illness: “My immune system is down so I’m picking up every bug going. My bowels are swollen and so are my intestines.

“I just couldn’t keep my food down. It was horrible. I lost all the muscle definition in my stomach.”

Other celebrities who suffer from the condition include the singer Anastacia and Jeff Hordley, who plays Cain Dingle in Emmerdale.

A spokeswoman for Sam said: “I can confirm Sam has very recently been diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease.”

What is Crohn's disease? Find out more here.