Married At First Sight UK star JJ Slater revealed that he had planned a “his and hers” surgery in Turkey with Katie Price but it was canceled after his recent diagnosis which has prompted major lifestyle changes
Katie Price’s boyfriend, JJ Slater, has opened up about the couple’s planned joint cosmetic surgery in Turkey and has revealed the reason why it didn’t go ahead for him. The former Married At First Sight UK star, 32, was set to have a “his and hers” procedure with the 47-year-old glamour model, but his Type 1 diabetes prevented him from going under the knife.
“I went to Turkey to have the bags under my eyes done, but I couldn’t have it done,” JJ said. “I was all in the gown, wearing the knee-high socks, ready to go down. But my blood sugars were flagged. I got diagnosed with type 1 diabetes after the show, actually.
“So yeah, my blood sugars, there was a reading in my blood that they weren’t happy with, so they didn’t do the procedure. So recovery was fine, as it didn’t happen,” he told The Sun.
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He also reflected on how the diagnosis has reshaped his life as he admitted: “That’s another major thing that has happened since the show: being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. That diagnosis was definitely one of the biggest life-changing things since the show.
“Type 1 is an autoimmune disease, so I’ve done a lot of research into it. One of the potential triggers can be stress. It’s not scientifically proven, but it does make you wonder, given everything going on around that time.”
JJ described the onset of his symptoms as he explained: “I was 31, had never had any issues before, and suddenly I was really ill for about two months. But being a typical bloke, I just ignored it, thinking it would go away.
“But then, when I did get really ill, my dad was like, mate, you’ve got to get yourself to the hospital. I went down to the hospital and was diagnosed.
“So that was a huge change. I lost nearly two stone, and I was really thirsty. It’s a bit disgusting, but I was also passing blood in my urine. That was the biggest trigger for me. That was when I told myself I had to get checked out.”
Last month, Katie revealed JJ had a hair transplant in Turkey, sharing footage of him undergoing a PRP treatment on Snapchat and it was something that the couple didn’t fully plan or anticipate.
Their joint procedures come after split rumours earlier this year. The former glamour model fell for Married At First Sight UK star JJ following her bitter split from fiancé Carl Woods in early 2024.
Despite the 16-year age gap between Katie and JJ, the pair have appear to have gone from strength to strength throughout the duration of their relationship.
However, in recent weeks, the couple have sparked split rumours and fans had been left convinced that they had gone their separate ways. In her most recent podcast episode of The Katie Price Show, the mum-of-five has finally explained why she and JJ do not currently live together.
Katie, who hosts the popular podcast alongside her younger sister Sophie, revealed that she is moving into a new house that she is designing herself before confirming that reality TV star JJ is not involved in any way.
“People have to realise JJ owns his own house and he owns his flat. He rents his flat out and his house is like a new build, like a show home. I can’t remember the last time I went there. He actually has got a good eye.”
Katie has been dogged by controversy in recent weeks and apparently feels that JJ is one of the few people who has her back.
“It’s been a really difficult time for Katie, and she’s been telling people she won’t let JJ betray her too,” a source told The Mirror.
“The last thing she needs is a break-up, with everything else that’s going on. JJ has always been dependable, and she’s realised that a good relationship doesn’t have all the arguing and drama, so she needs him now more than ever.”
Katie and Married At First Sight UK star JJ started dating in February 2024, and she once called him “my absolute everything” on social media.
She also told Paul C Brunson on his We Need To Talk podcast in May that “JJ is the most kind, genuine, easy-going, chilled person”.
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