Eternal Kelle Bryan's deadly struggle with Lupus means she cannot hold her children

The ex-singer, who briefly rejoined the girl band in 2013, faces a daily struggle with the crippling condition lupus.

Kelle told the Daily Star Sunday: “I normally wear a surgical mask and gloves because I’m highly susceptible to infection.

“My lupus means if I pick up an infection I could die because there is nothing to fight it.

“People know me for being glamorous and going to red carpet events but this isn’t anything like that. It’s real pain.

“I’ve got two kids who have had to watch their mum go through this.

“I can’t touch my own children because it could actually kill me.

“So it doesn’t just affect me, but those around me too.”

Kelle came close to death three months ago after her daughter contracted a meningococcal infection at school.

“They had to give me adrenaline to kick-start my body and then they filled me with fluid so they could treat me. I looked like a balloon.

“The lupus went to my brain and it caused me to have a seizure, so I lost three days of my life.”

The ordeal left Kelle unable to walk or talk.

She added: “Lupus gives you ulcers on your face and down the side of your body. It cripples your movement.

“I’ve had to learn to speak and walk again. And I had to learn to read and write again.

“I’ve been under physiotherapy to get me to where I am now. And I’ve had chemotherapy again so I’ve lost my hair.

“But I’ve lost it twice before so I’m not fussed about it.

“My brain isn’t recovering in the way we hoped it would. I’ve got severe memory loss – I’ve got a stack of parking tickets because I often forget where I’ve parked my car.”

Kelle’s relapse left her struggling to work as a showbiz agent.

Some clients walked away but ex-EastEnders actor Ricky Norwood has stayed loyal.

She said: “While he was in Celebrity Big Brother I wasn’t able to speak so I felt unqualified to do my job. He was in a big TV show but I couldn’t give him the protection he needed.

“He’s one client that hasn’t gone anywhere. He’s just held my hand through it, rather than thinking, ‘She’s sick and poorly, see you later’.”

Kelle, 41, was diagnosed with lupus in 2000 shortly after a gig with Eternal at Party In The Park in front of 100,000 fans.

She has bravely spoken about her condition to raise awareness of the disease and is a patron of the St Thomas’ Lupus Trust.

Kelle added: “I don’t want anyone else to go through this. That’s what motivates me.

“If I could stop one other person from having to endure what I’m still enduring then this is worth it.”

WHAT IS LUPUS?

It's a non-contagious disease in which your immune system produces too many antibodies which attack healthy cells and tissues.

The major symptoms are joint and muscle pain and extreme tiredness.

Rashes, depression, anaemia and hair loss can also occur.

Most of those affected are women aged between 18 and 45, but men and children can also get it.

Popstars Selena Gomez, Seal and Toni Braxton are all sufferers.

HEALTH RISKS:

There is no known cure but many manage their symptoms using steroids or other drugs and live a fairly normal life.

For some, like Kelle, it can be far more serious.

Because of their weakened immune system, even a simple infection can trigger a reaction that shuts down the body.

The kidneys, heart, lungs and brain are all at risk.

HOW TO HELP:

Kelle, Ricky Norwood and TV’s Dr Sara Kayat are all patrons of the St Thomas’ Lupus Trust which funds research at Guy’s Hospital.

On October 20 the charity will auction a guitar string bangle donated by Sir Paul McCartney.

You can find out more at lupus.org.uk.