A Norfolk-born pop star has revealed the ongoing health battle that nearly forced her off a hit TV show.

Hannah Spearritt, from Gorleston, has opened up about her struggle dealing with an autoimmune disease after being diagnosed back in 2013.

The former S-Club 7 star can currently be seen competing on ITV show Dancing on Ice alongside professional skater Andy Buchanan.

But the former Lynn Grove High School pupil came close to pulling out of the show after a tooth infection caused her to break down in tears of agony as it caused a flare-up of her autoimmune condition.

This caused her to miss days of training for the show but the 42-year-old had root canal treatment and was able to get back on the ice.

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In an interview with the Mirror, the 42-year-old singer and actress said: "All I wanted to do was train, but I was just too ill.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Hannah Spearritt on Dancing on IceHannah Spearritt on Dancing on Ice (Image: Ian West/PA Wire/PA Images)

"I was completely stressed because the show team were ringing me, asking if I would be able to train tomorrow and I wanted to say yes but didn’t know how I’d feel.

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"I was determined to go back, but I was skating around white as a sheet and sweating.

"Anyone could see I wasn’t right."

With a movie theme this week, live tonight from 6.20pm, Spearritt will be taking on a Frozen-themed dance inspired by her daughters Taya, five, and Tora, three.