JJ Slater reveals Type 1 diabetes diagnosis forced him to cancel joint surgery with Katie Price

Katie Price’s boyfriend JJ Slater has revealed that he was forced to cancel a planned joint cosmetic procedure with the glamour model after being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.

The 32-year-old Married At First Sight UK star had travelled to Turkey with Price, 47, for what he described as “his and hers” surgery. Slater had intended to undergo an eye-bag operation while Katie pursued her own treatment. However, moments before going under the knife, doctors halted the procedure due to concerns over his blood sugar levels.

“I went to Turkey to have the bags under my eyes done, but I couldn’t have it,” JJ explained. “I was all in the gown, wearing the knee-high socks, ready to go down. But my blood sugars were flagged. I got diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes after the show, actually. So yeah, there was a reading in my blood that they weren’t happy with, so they didn’t do the procedure.”

Reflecting on the experience, JJ said the diagnosis had forced him to make major lifestyle adjustments. “That diagnosis was definitely one of the biggest life-changing things since the show,” he admitted. “Type 1 is an autoimmune disease, so I’ve done a lot of research into it. One of the potential triggers can be stress. It’s not scientifically proven, but it does make you wonder, given everything going on around that time.”

Slater described the onset of his symptoms, recalling months of feeling unwell before finally seeking medical attention. “I was 31, had never had any issues before, and suddenly I was really ill for about two months. But being a typical bloke, I just ignored it,” he confessed. “When I got really bad, my dad was like, mate, you’ve got to get yourself to the hospital. I went and was diagnosed. I lost nearly two stone, was constantly thirsty, and was even passing blood in my urine. That was the biggest trigger for me to get checked out.”

Although he did not go through with the eye-bag procedure, JJ later had a hair transplant in Turkey, with Katie sharing footage of him undergoing PRP treatment on social media.

The couple, who have been together since February 2024 following Katie’s split from fiancé Carl Woods, have faced rumours of a break-up in recent weeks. Katie recently addressed the speculation on her podcast, The Katie Price Show, which she co-hosts with her sister Sophie. She explained that the pair do not live together, but stressed that JJ remains a stable and positive influence in her life.

“People have to realise JJ owns his own house and he owns his flat. He rents one out and the other is like a show home. I can’t remember the last time I went there. He’s actually got a good eye,” she said, dismissing talk of tension.

Despite the 16-year age gap between them, Katie has frequently praised JJ, describing him as “my absolute everything” on social media and telling fans he is the “most kind, genuine, easy-going, chilled person”.

Sources close to the couple insist JJ’s support has been vital for Katie during a turbulent period, with one insider claiming: “The last thing she needs is a break-up, with everything else going on. JJ has always been dependable, and she’s realised that a good relationship doesn’t have to be full of drama.”

For JJ, his diabetes diagnosis has put health above aesthetics. What was meant to be a cosmetic procedure became a turning point, forcing him to reassess his priorities while cementing his role as Katie’s anchor in an otherwise stormy year