The Chase star Jenny Ryan has revealed she feared an operation to remove her enlarged thyroid would leave her unable to speak or sing.
Ryan, who is best known as The Vixen on the popular British TV quiz show, underwent surgery earlier this year after her thyroid gland grew to the point it began "causing some problems".
The 44-year-old told Bang Showbiz there had been no obvious signs before her thyroid began to enlarge.
"It can just spontaneously happen and creep up on you. So it’s just another one of those things," she said.
"If you feel unsure about something, go and speak to your GP or call the NHS and get some advice."
Ryan said one of the biggest concerns prior to the procedure was the potential impact it would have on her vocal chords.
As well as appearing as a professional quizzer on The Chase, Ryan was an avid singer, having reached the final of The X Factor: Celebrity in 2009.
She first revealed she had undergone surgery in July, sharing photos to social media which showed a scar across the front of her neck.
“Hello my lovelies," she wrote. "You might notice my new scar. You’d be hard pushed to not spot it, given it’s right on the front of my neck."
“My thyroid gland made a bid for fame and got so big it started causing some problems so we chopped it out."
The Chase star reassured fans the surgery had gone well and that her voice was unaffected.
"I'm fine. Surgery was all good and the consultant is very happy," she wrote.
"My voice still works and it’s healing nicely."
She also thanked medical staff who treated her at the University College Hospital in London, describing the support as "beyond wonderful".
Ryan has appeared on The Chase since 2015, becoming a full time quizzer alongside Mark 'The Beast' Labbett, Anne 'The Governess' Hegerty, Shaun 'The Dark Destroyer' Wallace, Paul 'The Sinnerman' Sinha and Darragh 'The Menace' Ennis.
The popular quiz show has been on the air since 2009 and has launched multiple spin-offs, including Beat the Chasers; The Chase: Bloopers; and The Family Chase. It's also spawned New Zealand and Australian versions of the show.
Watch The Chase UK daily at 5pm on TVNZ1 and TVNZ+
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