Rochelle Anthony, the businesswoman who finished as runner-up on the BBC's The Apprentice in 2023, has shared a worrying health update from a hospital bed, revealing she is undergoing tests for a suspected stroke.
Sudden Loss of Function
Posting a photo of herself connected to medical equipment on Instagram, Anthony explained she had abruptly lost function down one side of her body. She wrote: "Dolls, I am in A&E with a suspected stroke." The beauty salon proprietor apologised to clients whose bookings would need to be postponed while she focuses on recovery.
Detailing her symptoms, Anthony said: "Stress and trauma are crazy triggers for serious conditions. I have no use of my left leg and left arm." She concluded by informing followers she would be taking a break from social media while receiving care, requesting that anyone needing contact reach out to her salon instead.
Previous Health Scare
This health emergency follows Anthony's candid account of another severe medical episode in 2024, when she suffered weeks of excruciating pain before doctors found two gallstones trapped in her bile duct. The stones were too large to pass naturally and required specialist intervention, despite her having already undergone surgery to remove her gallbladder and 19 gallstones the previous year.
Encouraging others to seek medical help if something feels wrong, she revealed she had made multiple hospital visits before eventually receiving a diagnosis.
Rise to Fame
Anthony shot to prominence after reaching the final of The Apprentice in 2023, where she pitched her hair salon venture, The Dolls House, to Lord Sugar. Although Sugar chose winner Marnie Swindells' boxing gym instead, Anthony's business flourished after the show, attracting clients from across the UK to her Milton Keynes salon.
According to the NHS, a stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is cut off. Typical symptoms include sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, facial drooping, speech difficulties, and confusion. Anyone experiencing these symptoms is advised to seek emergency medical assistance immediately.
