Former Brookside star Jennifer Ellison became unwell after sugar 'cold turkey'

Jennifer Ellison suffered sugar withdrawal symptoms Credit: ITV

Jennifer Ellison became so unwell when she went cold turkey from sugar that she needed medical help. The former Brookside actress, now a dancer and West End star, was taking part in the ITV show Sugar Free Farm, which sees celebrities quitting sugar for two weeks - instead living together on a country farm, helping to produce wholesome and healthy food.

Ellison was joined by musical theatre star Jane McDonald, comedian Rory McGrath, quiz master Mark Labbett, actress Tupele Dorgu, and The Only Way Is Essex's James "Arg" Argent.

But medics were called in when McDonald and Ellison suffered from withdrawal symptoms.

Before the programme she was consuming six to eight cans of Coca-Cola per day, alongside snacks of Mars bars and jelly sweets, as she balanced the demands of motherhood with running her dance school business.

She went on to lose a stone and a half.

The new series also features Tupele Dorgu and Jane McDonald Credit: ITV
The new series begins on Tuesday January 26 at 8pm on ITV Credit: ITV