Big Brother's Reggie Bird breaks down as she reveals shock diagnosis

Olivia Lambert
Updated ·2-min read

Fans have rallied around two-time Big Brother winner Reggie Bird after she revealed she had received a shock diagnosis.

The reality star broke down in tears as she told followers on Instagram she was diagnosed with Usher Syndrome, which causes both hearing and vision loss.

“It’s not what I wanted to hear,” Reggie says in the clip.

“It’s the worst thing that you could have. I’m going to be deaf-blind."

Reggie Bird wipes tears fro her eyes.
Reggie Bird has opened up about her latest shock diagnosis. Source: Instagram

It's another blow for Reggie, who was crowned the winner of Big Brother over runner-up Chrissie Swan back in 2003 and again taking home the top prize on BB Royalty vs. New Contenders earlier this year.

In a trailer for the latest Big Brother season, the star opened up about being diagnosed with retinitis pigmentos, a rare and hereditary eye disease that often causes blindness.

“I’ve now lost all of my peripheral vision, I have no night vision. I could wake up tomorrow and it’s going to be gone,” she said, before tearing up and adding, “Oh I’m going to cry!”.

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Fans and other TV stars have shared their well-wishes after Reggie revealed her latest diagnosis on Instagram.

Sunrise weatherman Sam Mac simply commented a heart emoji, while Big Brother star Tully Smyth left a message of support.

"Oh Reg. My heart. Love you so much. Just another challenge for you to not only conquer but absolutely smash. You’ve got this," she wrote.

Australian Survivor star Felicity Egginton told Reggie she was an "amazing" woman.

"I truly believe you will persevere through this and overcome all of the challenges that come your way in your own way," she said.

"Remember how many people LOVE you. I am sure you will have some incredible support around you."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Regina Sorensen (@reggiebirdbb)

In true Reggie fashion, the star said she was turning her diagnosis into a positive, and wanted suggestions from fans to help her create a bucket list to complete before she loses her vision.

"I'm turning it into a positive, I don't want it to be negative," she said in another video on Instagram.

"I want it to be positive. I want to make the most of every bloody day that I've got left seeing and hearing."

It has been a tough journey for the Big Brother favourite, with the star suffering a stroke in 2017 caused by a heart condition, and her youngest son Lucas has cystic fibrosis.

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