Emotional Louise Thompson thanks fans for their support after revealing ... trends now

Louise Thompson has thanked her fans for their support in an emotional update after she revealed she had a 'lifesaving' stoma bag fitted. 

The former Made In Chelsea, star, 34, shared the news on Tuesday, after years of suffering from ulcerative colitis following a diagnosis in 2018 as well as the autoimmune disease lupus. 

Louise admitted she 'could cry' after reading through everyone's kind comments while sharing an update to her Instagram story. 

In the clip, she said: 'Thank you so much everyone for your kind comments I honestly could cry right now. 

'I love that we live in a society now that has become so much less judgemental than it used to be. It means a lot. '

On Tuesday morning, Louise shared the news with her Instagram followers as she bravely admitted it is 'not something she wanted to hide forever'.

She has previously spoken about her ongoing struggles with the bowel condition ulcerative colitis as well as the autoimmune disease lupus.

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic bowel condition where the colon and rectum become inflamed and small ulcers develop on the colon's lining, which can bleed. The condition has no cure, but can be effectively managed with time. 

Earlier this year she spent two weeks in hospital after suffering a ulcerative colitis flare up during a holiday with her fiance Ryan Libbey and their little boy Leo, two.

The fitness influencer almost died during the birth of her son Leo in 2021 and was left with post traumatic stress disorder. 

Louise shared a video of herself showing the bag, which is attached to her stomach, and wrote: HOW DO I DISCLOSE THIS SORT OF NEWS? 

'It's not exactly exciting like a big pregnancy or gender reveal announcement! Hey look i'm having a boy… Hey look i've got a stoma!

'So I guess i'll just stand here. Proud in stature. With my new friend. Le bum bag, that represents life. And hopefully a better one.'

'Isn't it bizarre that this little grey pouch is the price I pay for good health! I say good riddance to that nasty menacing colon! 

Louise urged people to support her choice to share her news online, and added: 'Please be kind.'

In the clip, Louise lifted her top to reveal the pouch and told her fans she was 'introducing the bag that may well have saved her life'.

She added: 'Not exactly a glamorous announcement but not something I want to keep hidden forever.'

Louise's post was flooded with supportive messages from her friends and followers, including her brother's girlfriend Zara McDermott.

Sharing her own message of support, she wrote: 'When you think about it, it's a beautiful thing because it means less time in hospital, less time in pain, less time with a poison organ in your body! Now you are free my girl. Now it's time for you.'

In February, Louise revealed she was forced to rush home from Antigua after 'losing cupfuls of blood every 20 minutes' during a bad flare up.

Louise's hospital stay was confirmed by her partner Ryan, who did not disclose the reason, and she later broke her silence and told her followers she was 'alive and in good care'.

She shared a photo from her hospital bed and said following an 'unexpected turn of events' she had returned home after more than two weeks in hospital.

Louise explained how she began struggling while on holiday with her family in the Caribbean and used up all of her energy 'pretending to be okay'.