Former TOWIE star Charlie King reveals painful shingles outbreak, cites stress

Former The Only Way Is Essex cast member Charlie King said he is suffering from shingles and told followers on Instagram that stress had left him run down and contributed to the illness.

The 40-year-old posted a photograph showing a painful rash with raised bumps on his neck and wrote that "Shingles are horrible (it's like being stung by nettles & it not easing off). Proper lousy." He later thanked followers for their messages and described the episode as a "wake-up call", saying he had "let stress consume" him in recent weeks. In the update, King — wearing a black hoodie and cap and a white plaster across his nose in the image — said he had been surprised by how severe the condition could be and that many followers had shared their own experiences.

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. The condition typically produces a painful, localized rash and may include sensations such as burning, tingling or sharp pain. Medical guidance notes that the risk of shingles increases with age and with factors that weaken the immune system; stress is commonly cited as a potential trigger that can contribute to reactivation.

Symptoms most often appear as a band or strip of blisters on one side of the body or face, though presentations can vary. Early antiviral treatment can reduce severity and duration when started promptly, and clinicians advise seeking medical assessment if a shingles rash is suspected, particularly if it involves the eye or is accompanied by severe pain or other concerning symptoms.

King's public account of his experience follows a string of posts in which he acknowledged feeling run down and having allowed harmful habits and pressure to build. He told followers he had been comforted by the many people who shared similar experiences and reassured him about recovery. He described the ordeal as difficult but used the posts to flag the physical toll of prolonged stress.

The former reality star did not disclose detailed medical treatment in his posts. His public updates reflect a broader pattern of public figures using social media to share health concerns and to draw attention to common conditions. Medical professionals regularly emphasize that while shingles can be painful, most people recover without long-term complications; some, however, can develop postherpetic neuralgia, a persistent nerve pain following the rash.

King's disclosure may prompt conversation about recognising symptoms early and seeking medical care. He has not announced plans for public appearances while recovering. Followers reacted with messages of support and reports of their own experiences living with shingles, underlining the condition's prevalence and the role of stress and immune health in its occurrence.