Marnie Simpson’s health nightmare: ‘I didn’t want to live’

She hit our screens back in 2013 as the party-going Geordie lass who loved skimpy clothes and getting “mortal” on boozy nights out, but Marnie Simpson’s life has since changed beyond recognition.

Instead of hitting the tiles, she’s now enjoying being at home with her one-year-old son Rox and is busy planning her wedding to boyfriend Casey Johnson, 25. Former X Factor star Casey surprised her on a date night in August, when he went down on one knee in their candlelit garden.

“It was so romantic,” Marnie, 28, tells Closer. “The garden was lit up with fairy lights and candles, and Casey set up a big screen, which was showing photos from our relationship.

“He played my favourite song, Daniela Andrade’s Un-thinkable, then he got down on one knee. He’d chosen the ring himself, and it was just perfect – it’s a square diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds. There were a lot of tears from both of us – we were like two cry-babies!”

While Marnie is thrilled to be engaged, she readily admits that Casey’s proposal came after “the hardest year” of her life. Since having Rox last October, she has been suffering from a rare condition called trigonitis, where the trigone (an area of the bladder) is inflamed and raw. It’s caused by hormones and repeated UTIs.

“For 10 months I had UTI symptoms 24 hours a day,” she explains. “For a long time, I was in so much pain that I couldn’t get out of bed. It made me so depressed, and at the start of the year it was so bad, I didn’t want to live. If it wasn’t for Casey and Rox, I don’t think I could have got through it.

“I tried every drug and treatment going, including acupuncture and herbal remedies, but no doctor could help me at first. Casey was always by my side, though, telling me that I would come through it. He’s been there for Rox too, and he’s shown me he loves me unconditionally. It’s definitely brought us closer as a couple.”

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While Marnie’s condition is not yet cured, she says her symptoms are no longer quite so debilitating.

“It’s a bit better now,” she says. “But it made me so stressed and anxious, because I wasn’t able to leave the house without knowing if I’d have access to a toilet. I’ve had a bit of therapy, and that has helped with the anxiety, but it’s tough when it’s health-related. Ultimately, I still leave the therapist’s office in physical pain.”

In addition to therapy and antibiotics, Marnie has also overhauled her lifestyle in a determined bid to look after her body. It’s a big step-change for the reality TV star, whose pursuit of perfection has seen her put herself through a boob lift, nose jobs and liposuction. “That’s all so superficial now,” she says. “This year has taught me how important my health is, and I’ve changed my whole life around. I refuse to risk my health, especially when it’s for vanity reasons.”

As a result, Marnie has cut right down on dairy and sugar, and rarely drinks alcohol. Instead, she’ll have a smoothie or cereal for breakfast, fish with salad for lunch, and a vegan curry for dinner. Her clean diet is a far cry from the past, when she’d eat up to ten packets of crisps in a day, tuck into kebabs and enjoy booze-fuelled nights out.

“I’ve cut down on meat, I don’t drink fizzy pop and I have loads of fruit and veg,” she says. “I don’t really drink or go on nights out any more either, apart from having the odd social glass. My new diet has definitely improved my energy levels, and my overall wellbeing too.

“I didn’t eat well during my pregnancy with Rox, but I know I’d have a healthier diet next time. If it wasn’t for my health problems, I’d be planning my next baby already, but I need to get myself fit and well first. I’ll only have one more, though – Casey and I have discussed it and we’re happy with two. Despite everything I’ve been through this year, becoming a mum has given me so much joy and happiness. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done.”

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While she might not be ready for another pregnancy just yet, Marnie is keen to throw herself into planning her wedding. Although the pandemic is making it tricky to set a date, she has plenty of ideas in mind.

“I’m so excited,” she says. “I just wish COVID-19 wasn’t affecting things! We’re keeping our fingers crossed that it’s passed next year, so we can plan a full wedding then.

“I’d like to get married abroad on the beach, possibly in Santorini. It’ll be small, with about 25 guests, and I won’t have any bridesmaids because I don’t want to single people out. I’ll wear a simple, silky dress with a beach vibe, and I think I’ll go barefoot too. I can’t wait!”

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