Jessica Knowles has revealed in her latest HELLO! Online blog post that she has been diagnosed with cervical cancer. The mum-of-one was told the news earlier this week and penned her latest post "with sadness".
Jessica, 28, is the doting mum to her 21-month-old son Eddie, who she shares with her estranged husband, TV star Nick Knowles.
"After a brief period of being unwell I was unfortunately diagnosed, this week, with cervical cancer," she wrote. "Following on from a difficult year it has forced me to put a lot of things into perspective and really brought to light what matters; my health and Eddie."
Jessica Knowles with her 21-month-old son Eddie
"I am going to use this time to focus solely on my health and use all spare energy to make sure Eddie's home life remains as happy and normal as positive," she added.
CERVICAL CANCER: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
"I have been so overwhelmed with love from friends and family and am a huge believer in 'things happening for a reason' and this will undoubtedly be a huge time of learning for me.
"Mostly I'm grateful and feeling incredibly lucky that it has been caught early and we are hopeful I can be treated with surgery.
The doting mum is signing off from social media for the meantime
"So, for a brief while, I'm switching off – from blogging and social media to be present with friends and family and to get better – before finishing off what will undoubtedly be an amazing year (I'm due break :P )
"Sending everyone a huge cyber hug and I hope that you'll continue to join me on my blogging journeys when I'm back. Jessica x."
Earlier this month Jessica opened up about her painful separation from her ex Nick, who she married in 2012. She admitted to HELLO! magazine that Nick's decision to end their marriage had "blindsided" her.
Nick and Jessica Knowles split in January
Jessica revealed: "Nick and I were spending so little time together and the times we were together, we were arguing a lot. But I thought we could fix it. I thought we could get back to what we had before.
"But Nick works so incredibly hard. That, coupled with the fact that we weren't getting on, I think led him to believe he was truly making the best decision for the family."
"Nick is the most wonderful father to Eddie and they adore one another," she added. "His face completely lights up whenever he sees Nick."