Imagine being trapped in your own body, unable to move, while a mysterious illness ravages your health. This is the stark reality for Traitors star Alex Gray, who has courageously shared her battle with a debilitating condition that leaves her bedridden, in excruciating pain, and covered in a fiery red rash. But here's where it gets controversial: Could the roots of her suffering lie in her past struggles with eating disorders? And this is the part most people miss—the intricate link between mental health and physical ailments.
Alex, who rose to fame alongside her boyfriend Tom Elderfield on the hit BBC show, openly admits to mourning the life she once had before her health took a dramatic turn. Her journey began at just 16, when she battled anorexia, depriving her body of essential nutrients during a critical phase of her development. By 22, she had fallen into the clutches of bulimia, trapped in a relentless cycle of food and exercise. Yet, it was only when a silent autoimmune condition began to wreak havoc on her body that she was forced to confront her eating disorder head-on.
‘I want to shake people awake,’ Alex reveals in an exclusive interview with Fabulous. ‘I’d tell them, ‘This is what you’re doing to your body. Look at what happened to me. I don’t want you to suffer the same fate.’ But when you’re in the grip of an eating disorder, the long-term damage is the last thing on your mind.’
Alex’s battle with anorexia began in 2012, eventually spiraling into bulimia. By 23, her body began to rebel against the relentless strain. She recalls her obsessive gym routine—running 5K on the treadmill, lifting weights, and pushing herself to the brink. ‘One day, I felt like I was blacking out while running, but I kept going,’ she shares. ‘I tried lifting weights and had no strength left. I called myself weak, but the truth was, my body had simply given up. I had pushed it too far.’
What followed was a cascade of symptoms: extreme fatigue, joint pain, numbness, and even a red rash around her eyes. Yet, doctors dismissed her concerns, attributing her issues to travel or overwork. ‘They didn’t take me seriously,’ Alex laments. ‘Because my pain was invisible, it was easy to brush off.’ It wasn’t until she developed night sweats and a rash that tests were finally conducted, ruling out cancer but leaving many questions unanswered.
Eventually, Alex was diagnosed with coeliac disease, an autoimmune condition triggered by gluten. Scans also revealed arthritis, but many of her symptoms remain a mystery. ‘On my worst days, I can’t get out of bed,’ she confesses. ‘My back feels like it’s on fire, my hands are stiff, and even holding my phone is a struggle. The brain fog is unbearable—I can’t string a sentence together.’
Research from the University of Oxford in 2016 sheds light on this connection: women with anorexia are twice as likely to develop autoimmune diseases later in life, while those with bulimia face an 80% higher risk. But here’s the thought-provoking question: Are eating disorders solely psychological, or do they leave a lasting mark on the body? Dr. Lucy Hooper, a private GP with expertise in complex health issues, explains, ‘Both autoimmune diseases and eating disorders involve elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines like IL-6, which can travel between organs, affecting mood, appetite, and even cravings.’
For Alex, this research hits close to home. ‘I believe my eating disorder significantly contributed to my current health issues,’ she reflects. ‘If someone had warned me about the long-term consequences, I would have stopped immediately.’
Today, Alex manages her symptoms through dietary changes, avoiding gluten and limiting dairy. She’s also scaled back on exercise, learning to pace her energy. ‘I grieve for the person I used to be,’ she admits. ‘But this journey has taught me to slow down and appreciate life more.’
Through it all, her boyfriend Tom has been her rock, always there with ginger tea, treats, and unwavering support. The couple, who bought a home together after Traitors, are excited about the future. Marriage? ‘We’ll see,’ Alex smiles. ‘It’s a natural next step.’ And yes, her Traitors friends would definitely be invited to the wedding—perhaps even with Claudia officiating at Ardross Castle.
But here’s the bigger question: If eating disorders can pave the way for autoimmune conditions, should we be doing more to address their physical impact? And what does this mean for early detection and prevention? Let’s start the conversation—share your thoughts in the comments below.
