JFK also suffered disorder

US President John F. Kennedy developed ulcerative colitis in his teens. The youngest president ever elected to the White House was admitted to the Mayo Clinic in 1934 where he was diagnosed with colitis – which is what it was called then.

Decades after his assassination in Dallas,Texas, his medical records showed he was in greater pain and taking more medication than anyone knew.

Olympic rower Sir Steve Redgrave was diagnosed with UC in 1992 but it didn’t affect his drive for Olympic triumph.

He won the gold in Sydney at the 2000 Olympics and became the only rower in history to win five gold medals in five consecutive Olympic Games from 1984 to 2000.

He is now an author, motivational speaker and philanthropist.

Racing driver Paul Stewart, 51, son of Formula One Champion Sir Jackie Stewart, suffers from the condition.

Scots footballer Darren Fletcher, 32, who plays as a central midfielder and captains West Bromwich Albion and the Scotland national team and comedian Jerry Sadowitz, 55, have also revealed they have ulcerative colitis. Other stars with bowel disorders include TOWIE star Sam Faiers, 25, and actress Shannen Doherty, 45, who is now also battling breast cancer.