Celine Dion was forced to pull out of her Eurovision Song Content 2025 final performance in Basel earlier this year due to her health and Susanna Reid has reacted to the news

Good Morning Britain’s Susanna Reid has reacted to a “very upsetting” update on Celine Dion’s health.

The 57-year-old singer has been living with stiff person syndrome, a rare disorder that causes painful muscle spasms and affects movement, since 2022 which has had a significant impact on her health and her ability to perform.

She famously appeared on top of the Eiffel Tower for the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Olympics in Paris and it has now been revealed that the Queen of Power Ballads was due to perform at the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel this year.

The revelations were revealed as part of a new documentary celebrating the 30th anniversary of her album D’eux.

During the week of Eurovision, her private jet was spotted in Basel leading many to believe she would make a physical appearance.

Good Morning Britain’s Susanna Reid has reacted to a “very upsetting” update on Celine Dion’s health

Just hours before the Grand Final, Eurovision Director Martin Green CBE hinted at the possibility but the moment fans were waiting didn’t transpire due to Celine’s health battle.

Discussing the news with showbiz editor Richard Arnold, host Susanna Reid said: “I hope she’s okay.”

Richard continued: “It’s sad because I remember interviewing her in 2019 and we were teasing towards her tour the following year but it never happened because of Covid and then of course came the diagnosis.

Richard Arnold discussed the latest showbiz headlines on Wednesday(Image: ITV)

“It’s been a long and winding road to what we hope will be a recovery and getting her back on stage and stepping up to the mic again.”

Susanna added: “I know fans would have been really disappointed she wasn’t there but now knowing the reason it makes sense and It’s very upsetting.”

Insiders say the Canadian star is regaining strength and preparing for a return next year with source telling Radar Online: “Her health is on track and she’s hitting the high notes again.”

Celine has been living with stiff person syndrome since 2022

Fans saw Celine’s progress in July when she posted a video of herself dancing in a studio to Sebastian Ingrosso’s remix of her song A New Day.

On Thursday morning, viewers of Good Morning Britain were left stunned and deeply moved when Susanna Reid reacted live on air to the latest health update regarding legendary singer Celine Dion. The Canadian superstar, adored worldwide for her powerhouse vocals and timeless ballads, has been courageously battling a rare neurological disorder known as Stiff Person Syndrome. The news, described as “very upsetting,” sparked an emotional moment on the ITV breakfast show as Reid and her co-hosts shared both their shock and their heartfelt sympathy for Dion and her family.

The update, which was relayed during the live broadcast, revealed that Dion’s condition has continued to impact her ability to perform and that her return to the stage remains uncertain. For fans of the singer, whose music has become synonymous with resilience, love, and triumph over adversity, the news was particularly heartbreaking. Reid, known for her empathetic presenting style, was visibly moved as she spoke about Dion’s courage and the devastating reality of the illness. Her voice cracked slightly as she described how much the star has given to her fans throughout her decades-long career.

Celine Dion first went public about her diagnosis in late 2022, explaining that the condition causes severe muscle spasms and stiffness, affecting her mobility and vocal cords. Since then, she has been forced to cancel multiple tour dates, including her highly anticipated Las Vegas residency. At the time, Dion promised her fans that she was doing everything possible to manage the illness and remain hopeful about performing again. However, the latest update has cast doubt on whether she will ever be able to return to the stage in the way her fans remember.

As Reid addressed the situation, she reflected on the universal admiration Dion commands. The singer, who has sold more than 200 million records worldwide, is regarded not just for her extraordinary voice but also for her humanity and perseverance. Reid noted that watching an icon like Dion struggle with such a debilitating disease highlights the fragility of even the most seemingly untouchable figures in the public eye. For viewers at home, the moment carried a sobering reminder of how health challenges can affect anyone, regardless of fame or fortune.

The emotional reaction from Reid quickly spread across social media. Viewers praised her for handling the news with compassion, with many admitting they had been moved to tears themselves. Twitter and Facebook were flooded with comments from fans expressing heartbreak at Dion’s struggles. Some shared personal stories about how the singer’s music had helped them through difficult times, emphasizing the deep personal connection audiences feel with her. Others highlighted the importance of raising awareness for rare conditions like Stiff Person Syndrome, which remains largely misunderstood by the general public.

Medical experts have described Stiff Person Syndrome as a condition that affects roughly one in a million people. It causes progressive muscle rigidity and painful spasms, often triggered by noise, stress, or sudden movement. In Dion’s case, the impact on her vocal cords has been particularly devastating, given that her singing ability is the very foundation of her global career. While there are treatments that can help manage symptoms, there is currently no cure. This reality made the latest announcement all the more difficult for fans to process, as it underscored the ongoing and likely permanent challenges facing the singer.

Reid’s co-hosts also weighed in, with each offering their own words of admiration and sympathy. They noted Dion’s strength in continuing to share her journey publicly, despite the enormous personal toll. The presenters emphasized how significant her openness has been in shedding light on a little-known condition, bringing it into mainstream conversation. In many ways, Dion’s battle has gone beyond her music, inspiring millions with her honesty and determination to keep going even in the face of life-altering adversity.

Throughout the segment, the Good Morning Britain team highlighted Dion’s career achievements, reminding viewers of her unparalleled contributions to music. From winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1988 to delivering the unforgettable theme for Titanic, Dion has continuously broken barriers and created moments that have defined pop culture. Reid acknowledged that these memories now feel even more poignant, as they represent the magnitude of what could be lost if Dion is unable to return to performing. The conversation carried the dual weight of celebrating her past accomplishments and grieving what might never come again.

The audience reaction spoke volumes about the special place Dion holds in the hearts of millions. Fans described her as “the soundtrack of their lives,” recalling weddings, funerals, and other personal milestones where her music played an integral role. Songs such as “Because You Loved Me” and “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” have become timeless anthems of love, loss, and resilience, resonating across generations. Reid noted that this is what makes the news particularly difficult: it feels as though someone who has given so much to the world is now enduring an unimaginable struggle.

In the days ahead, it is likely that fans will rally around Dion with messages of love and support. Already, hashtags such as #PrayForCeline and #StayStrongCeline have begun trending, as admirers worldwide send their well-wishes. Reid encouraged viewers to continue showing kindness and positivity, recognizing that such support can make a meaningful difference to someone facing such immense challenges. For Dion, who has always described her fans as extended family, this outpouring of love may provide a vital source of strength during her ongoing battle.

What struck many viewers most during the broadcast was the sense of collective mourning that unfolded. Reid’s tearful words did not just reflect her own reaction but captured the emotions of millions around the globe. The segment highlighted how celebrities, while often appearing larger than life, are still vulnerable human beings who face struggles like anyone else. Dion’s story is a reminder of the importance of empathy, awareness, and cherishing the moments we share with those who inspire us.

As the show drew to a close, Reid summed up the mood by emphasizing gratitude for all Dion has given and hope that medical advances may one day provide better treatments. She spoke about the courage it takes to confront such an illness in the public eye and how Dion’s honesty has already made a difference for countless people who suffer from rare or misunderstood conditions. While the future remains uncertain for the star’s performing career, her impact as a beacon of strength and compassion remains undeniable.

For fans who tuned in, the segment will likely be remembered as a poignant moment in daytime television—a raw and heartfelt acknowledgment of the power of music, the fragility of health, and the resilience of the human spirit. In expressing her sorrow, Susanna Reid gave voice to a universal sentiment: heartbreak that one of the greatest voices of our time is being silenced by illness, coupled with profound admiration for the courage Celine Dion continues to show.