Fans of the popular ITV show *Lorraine* were thrilled to see the return of Dr. Hilary Jones on Thursday,
as he made his comeback to the program after undergoing significant surgery.
The medical expert, a regular guest on the show, had been recovering from an invasive procedure to address an issue with his Achilles tendon.
Lorraine Kelly, the show’s host, was visibly delighted to welcome him back, expressing how strange it had been without him.
Lorraine gushed, “It has been so strange without you,” as Dr. Hilary made his way into the London studio.
The two shared a warm reunion, with Dr. Hilary responding, “Thank you, I’ve missed you too.” Lorraine then addressed the “obvious” reason for his absence, joking about the boot he was wearing due to his recent surgery.
Dr. Hilary explained the situation by lifting his leg to show the medical boot he was wearing. He revealed that he had experienced a “disagreement” with his Achilles tendon, which required surgery to remove a bone spur from the back of his heel. He humorously referred to the size of the boot, saying, “Yes, there it is. It’s quite a boot, isn’t it?” He then shared a photo of his swollen foot with stitches, showing the aftermath of the surgery.
Lorraine, ever the supportive host, acknowledged the limitations Dr. Hilary had faced during his recovery, remarking, “You’ve not been able to do anything very much, have you?” Dr. Hilary confirmed this, adding, “Doctors don’t make good patients, but it does remind us what it’s like to be a patient.” However, he assured viewers that he was on the mend and experiencing no pain, revealing that he was gradually adjusting his heel height by 10 degrees every week. Though the adjustment process was “driving [him] crazy,” he was pleased to report that he could now shower independently, which he considered a major improvement.
Despite the challenges, Dr. Hilary expressed his excitement about returning to the show, saying, “Yeah, but it’s good to be back.” Lorraine echoed his sentiment, expressing how much she had missed him. “It is nice to have you back. It’s been really strange,” she said warmly.
While Dr. Hilary’s Achilles tendon surgery was the main reason for his absence, it wasn’t the only health issue he had faced in recent months. The medical expert had also been struck by gout, a painful form of arthritis that he described as a “Victorian disease.” Gout is caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints, often triggered by excessive consumption of meat and alcohol. Dr. Hilary shared with the *Lorraine* audience that he had suffered all the classic symptoms of gout, including joint pain, swelling, redness, and discolored nails.
Gout, which affects around 2.5% of people in the UK, is more common in men than women. Dr. Hilary explained that the prevalence of the condition has been steadily increasing and is expected to rise by more than 70% over the next 30 years, largely due to an aging population. He confessed that he was one of the many affected by this condition during the Christmas period, which added to his health struggles over the past few months.
Despite these setbacks, Dr. Hilary remained in high spirits and reassured viewers that he was recovering well. He seemed genuinely pleased to be back on set, engaging with Lorraine and the audience as he discussed his recent health challenges. His return was a moment of joy for both the *Lorraine* team and the viewers who had missed his regular medical insights and infectious energy.
In his typical style, Dr. Hilary used his personal experiences to highlight the importance of health awareness, particularly regarding conditions like gout, and how even medical professionals are not immune to health issues. With his return to *Lorraine*, it seems that Dr. Hilary is back to his old self, ready to share more valuable medical advice with his audience.
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