A TOWIE star was rushed to hospital on Tuesday after contracting malaria.
Vas J Morgan, 35, took to his Instagram Story as he told his followers he had ended up in hospital with the disease just three days after travelling to Ghana in Africa.
Vas – who appeared on The Only Way Is Essex from 2014 to 2018 – shared a snap of his hand attached to a drip as he received treatment.
The reality star captioned the post: ‘3 days in Ghana and already contracted malaria. Road to recovery starts now.’
He later added as he reassured his fans: ‘Sorry to panic everyone. I perhaps should think before posting something so worrying. Me and my Sagittarius need for attention.
‘I am very sick but I’m in good hands and I am told I will have a very speedy recovery. Thankfully we caught it very early.
‘I’ll be back to the village for @vasmorganfoundation asap!’
The NHS says: ‘Malaria is a serious infection spread by mosquitoes. If it’s not diagnosed and treated quickly, you can die from it.’
Symptoms include a high temperature, sweats and chills, headaches and feeling confused.
Vas appeared on TOWIE on and off for four years and also starred in Celebs Go Dating in 2018.
The star has a host of celebrity friends and is often seen on nights out and at parties with them, including Rita Ora, TOWIE’s Chloe Sims and Paris Hilton.
Vas didn’t appear to have the most positive experience on TOWIE and lashed out at ITV2 bosses for practicing ‘systemic racism’, by forcing him to stereotypical story arcs and failing to support him through his personal battles.
He’s been open about his struggle to find love and his experience of homophobia.
Vas revealed he was gay on the show in 2015, after he attempted to kiss pal Jasmin Walia amid confusion about his sexuality.
The TV personality, who is now sober, has also openly discussed his mental health struggles, as well as his alcohol and drug addiction.
In 2018 he went on to appear on Celebs Go Dating and by 2020 he become the first British reality star to feature in Forbes magazine.
After ditching reality TV, Vas focused on other projects such as launching the important initiative I Am Enough on Go Fund Me.
He revealed that he has raised more than £20,000 in under 12 hours to help give members of black communities better access to mental health services.
Vas set up the fundraiser after the tragic death of George Floyd, who was filmed choking to death after white police officer Derek Chauvin, pinned the 46-year old to the ground by pressing a knee into the back of his neck.
Shortly after this, Vas launched the WE MATTER platform to allow a safe space for people to discuss mental health issues without judgement and stigma.
James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
