Joanna Scanlan Weight Loss: Is Illness the Reason Behind Her Transformation?

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Joanna Scanlan Weight Loss: Is Illness the Reason Behind Her Transformation? houseandwhips.com

Joanna Scanlan has undergone a massive weight loss journey as she appears leaner and thinner than before. Many believe her previous battle with Myalgic encephalomyelitis could be the primary reason as she has never stated anything about her transformation.

Joanna Scanlan is a writer and actress from the United Kingdom who is most recognized for her roles as Ma Larkin in the ITV series, The Larkins. She also has received three BAFTA TV Award nominations for her work on Getting On. Furthermore, she received a British Academy Film Award and a British Independent Film Award for her performance in the film, After Love.

Recently, Joanna Scanlan has starred in BBC One‘s Boat Story alongside Daisy Haggard and Paterson Joseph. Since the release of the show, viewers have been shocked by her physical transformation as she seems leaner than before. So, did she undergo a weight loss journey? Well, let’s find it out together.

Previously, we discussed the weight loss efforts of Amy Yang and Donna Brazile.

People Suspect Joanna Scanlan May Have Undergone Weight Loss Due to Her Illness (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis)!

According to Joanna Scanlan, she gained weight as a defensive cover and has tried to maintain it ever since. She even claimed that she is currently in love with her weight. However, we can currently sense she might have undergone weight loss in recent days as she appeared to have a more desirable weight in comparison to before.

Joanna Scanlan's appearance after weight loss. houseandwhips.comJoanna Scanlan’s appearance after weight loss.
Image Source: Entertainment daily

However, although the Getting On star hasn’t stated whether or not she ever plans to reduce weight in the foreseeable future, she previously mentioned in her interview that she is confident in her figure and hasn’t wasted any time trying to lose weight. So, what really have might caused her to undergo weight loss? Does it have anything to do with her illness?

If you are not aware, Joanna Scanlan was previously suffering from Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, a long-term illness characterized by a wide range of symptoms. At the time, she was concerned whether she would be able to recuperate for a time until a doctor at Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital gave her some life-changing advice. The doctor stated:

If you don’t go back to acting you will be ill for the rest of your life.

This simple yet troubling revelation was a watershed moment for Scanlan, who recognized the medical professional was correct. Regarding this instance, she stated,  “It was a complete life-changing turn. It was a total thunderbolt. I thought to myself unfortunately what this man has just said is correct.” The continued,

The reason it was unfortunate was that it meant I was going to have to face up to a lot of things. I was going to have to disappoint the people I worked with by leaving my job. I was also 30 at that point. It seemed thoroughly embarrassing, I should have grown out of those childish things.

Although the actress has never looked back since and has overcome her illness, many people with the disorder are not even professionally diagnosed. Because there is no specific test for the disorder, it is diagnosed based on your symptoms and the exclusion of other conditions that may be causing them.

Although it is possible to live with the illness, it can be exceedingly challenging for certain people. Aside from the obvious physical symptoms, it can have a significant impact on both mental and emotional health. Individuals may need to make significant lifestyle changes to cope with the disease.

However, Joanna Scanlan has yet not confirm if her weight loss transformation is actually related to her illness. It is important to understand that all of the above accusations are based on speculation. We hope the actress is healthy and doing well in her life. Well, we hope to get back soon if we gain more information about her transformation.

A Glimpse at Joanna Scanlan’s Professional Career!

If you are not aware, Joanna Scanlan has been on our television screens since 1997, when she played Bessie in the television film, Jane Eyre. She later appeared in Vanity Fair as Lady Crawley, Doctors and Nurses as Stumpy Yates, and EastEnders as a prisoner.

She starred as Terri Coverley in The Thick of It from 2005 to 2012, and then as Nancy in Stella. She’s also appeared in Getting On as Sister Den Flixter, Heading Out as Toria, Big School as Mrs. Klebb, and Requiem as Janice Grey.

Joanna Scanlan recently played Pat Tooh in BBC One's Boat Story. houseandwhips.comJoanna Scanlan recently played Pat Tooh in BBC One’s Boat Story. 
Image Source: BBC

Joanna has also appeared in a number of films, including Kinky Boots, Notes on a Scandal, Bridget Jones’s Baby, and The Other Boleyn Girl. Likely, DI Vivienne Deering in No Offence and Angela Griffiths in The Accident are two other TV roles she has played.

Furthermore, Joanna Scanlan’s most recent roles were Isabella ‘Tib’ Norcliffe in Gentleman Jack series 2, Kelly Mulcreevy in McDonald & Dodds, and Mother Superior in Dracula. In 2020, she starred as Mary in the tense drama, After Love. She was rightfully nominated for a BAFTA for Best Actress in a Leading Role for it.