After my recent post about whether there is still a stigma around ostomies it got me thinking about the famous people I know who have or have had a stoma at some point.
I thought it would be cool to share them and see if there are any more I don’t know about. Some of these, such as Adele Roberts have done amazing things for the ostomy community, showing all the things you can still do when you have a stoma.
Read more: Ostomy 101 – Our Celebrity Ostomates1 Adele Roberts
Broadcaster Adele Roberts lives with a stoma bag, nicknamed “Audrey,” which she received in 2022 after undergoing surgery for bowel cancer. Since becoming cancer-free, she has become a prominent advocate for stoma awareness.
2. Louise Thompson
Former Made in Chelsea star Louise Thompson revealed in April 2024 that she had a life-saving stoma bag fitted after a long and debilitating battle with ulcerative colitis. She publicly shared her experience with her followers, bravely discussing the physical and mental hurdles of adapting to a stoma bag.
3. Merlin Griffiths
Merlin was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer in 2021. Alongside treatments including chemotherapy and a bowel re-section, he had a stoma. In 2023, he announced his stoma had been reversed and he had been given the all clear from cancer!
4. Käärijä
Finnish rapper Käärijä underwent emergency surgery to remove his colon during his teenage years due to severe ulcerative colitis. This procedure resulted in him having a stoma for about five months. He has been open about his scar, which has fostered body positivity among fans with similar conditions He represented Finland in Eurovision 2023, coming second with the song ‘Cha Cha Cha’.
5. Sharon Osbourne
Sharon was diagnosed with colon cancer in July 2002. She had a bowel resection and was given a temporary ileostomy while she continued recovering. Her ileostomy was later reversed.
6. Zoey Wright
Zoey Wright is a bodybuilder, fitness model and sponsored athlete hailing from Cornwall, England. I have had the pleasure of meeting her and she is LOVELY!
Zoey was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2012 and underwent ileostomy surgery in 2014. She has competed (and won) with both a stoma bag and a j-pouch and now runs Transform With Zoey.
7. Blake Beckford
Blake was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2003. He had his ileostomy surgery in 2013. He went on to win the National Fitness Modelling Competition – the first person to do so in the UK with an ostomy – in 2014. He modelled for Men’s Fitness and had his story shared across the globe – sharing his message that stomas save lives and give lives back.
8. Rico Franco
Ricardo “Bon Bon” Franco is a professional bare-knuckle boxer who competes with an ileostomy bag after undergoing lifesaving bowel surgery for severe ulcerative colitis. After being told he would never fight again, he found a guard that fits over his stoma and has continued to participate in the sport he loves. He won his last fight in May 2026 in round 2.
Did you know all of these? Do you know any other celebs who have had or have a stoma? Let me know in the comments below!
Stay smiling and keep safe,
The Spoonie Mummy 
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