Wendy Williams is taking an extended break from her syndicated daytime talk show The Wendy Williams Show. A statement from the Williams Hunter family says Williams, while recovering from a fractured shoulder, has experienced complications from her Graves’ disease which will require hospitalization and she will be taking time off “to focus on her personal and physical well-being.”

“As Wendy Williams Hunter previously shared, she fractured her shoulder and has been on the mend,” said the Williams Hunter family statement. “Over the past few days, Wendy has experienced complications regarding her Graves’ Disease that will require treatment. Wendy will be under the strict supervision of her physicians, and as part of her care, there will be significant time spent in the hospital. Despite her strong desire to return, she is taking a necessary, extended break from her show to focus on her personal and physical well-being.”

Distributor and producer Debmar-Mercury also released a statement: “For over ten years, Wendy has been a vital part of the Debmar-Mercury family. We wholeheartedly support Wendy in this decision to take the time she needs and we will welcome her back with open arms the moment she is ready.”

The Wendy Williams Show will air repeat episodes the week of January 21 and will produce original episodes with a variety of hosts starting the week of January 28, according to a show spokesperson.

Williams’ health has prompted concern in the past. Last year, her The Wendy Williams Show went on a three-week hiatus for Williams to focus on her health after she was diagnosed with Graves disease. She also had fainted on-air during her show’s Halloween episode on October 31. Williams said she became dehydrated and overheated because of the heavy Halloween costume she was wearing. In December, Williams issued an apology on Instagram after fans expressed concern that she appeared to be slurring her words on-air. Williams said she had suffered “a hairline fracture on my upper arm, which hurts like hell,” and the slurring could be attributed to medication she had taken for the pain.



The Wendy Williams Show is currently in its 10th season. The show airs on Fox owned-and-operated stations and is syndicated nationwide by Debmar-Mercury.