Dom Littlewood's diabetes double-act (From Basildon Recorder)

Dom Littlewood's diabetes double-act

3:46pm Tuesday 20th November 2007

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TV star Dom Littlewood and his 14-year-old nephew, Jordan Bailey, share more than just family ties - they both suffer from diabetes.

Dom, 42, who was recently voted off reality show Strictly Come Dancing after a valiant effort, came home to Southend yesterday to be filmed with Jordan for a TV programme focusing on the problems facing diabetes sufferers.

The pair also spoke about the treatment available for BBC One's The One Show.

Motormouth Dom, from Leigh, said: "Diabetes is a cause very close to my heart because I've suffered from it for the past 32 years. About one million people in the UK have it.

"The programme went really well -- it was nice to catch up with my nephew and sister, Justine.

"We talked about things you can and can't eat and there was a medical expert there.

"Having diabetes is a pain in the backside, but you just have to get on with life. It hasn't held me back at all."

Dom said he started to get symptoms after a bout of chicken pox at the age of ten. He now has four insulin injections a day.

Jordan, of Henley Crescent, Westcliff, was diagnosed just 14 months ago with Type 1, or insulin-dependent, diabetes - the same type as his uncle.

His mum Justine, 38, said: "Jordan's weight just dropped off and he was thirsty all the time. I recognised the symptoms from when Dom had it, so I suspected diabetes when I took him to the doctor."

Jordan, a pupil at Greensward College, Hockley, has insulin injections twice a day and about four blood tests a day.

He has to eat carefully, avoiding foods that are too sugary, and takes snacks and glucose tablets to school. This is to prevent his blood sugar levels dropping too low and causing a hypoglycaemic attack, which, if untreated, can result in a coma.

He also carries a mobile phone at all times in case he suffers a sudden attack, and takes a high-energy drink during any physical activity to keep his blood sugar levels high.

Justine, who works in customer service, said: "You can't take things for granted. I worry about Jordan a lot more now."

No date has been set for the episode to be broadcast, but Dom said it should be in the next two weeks. The One Show is on at 7pm on weekdays.

For more information on diabetes, call Diabetes UK on 020 74241000.

171 million sufferers

• Diabetes is a condition in which the amount of glucose in the blood is too high because the body cannot use it properly.

• Early symptoms include excessive urine production, severe thirst and blurred vision. Long-term symptoms include an increased risk of heart disease, kidney failure, blindness and nerve damage.

• At least 171 million people suffer from diabetes.

• Experts are unsure of the cause, but think it is partly genetic and partly environmental. It is more prevalent among the elderly and obese.

• There is no cure.

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