Dr Chris Steele appointed ambassador of Coeliac UK

Coeliac UK is the national charity supporting people with coeliac disease Dr Chris Steele, ITV's This Morning resident doctor, has become the first ambassador of Coeliac UK, the national charity supporting people with coeliac disease.

Sarah Sleet, Chief Executive of Coeliac UK, announced Dr Steele’s appointment on 7 July 2007 at the Charity’s AGM in Sheffield. Dr Steele will hold the post until May 2008. He has had a weekly slot on ITV's ‘This Morning’ for the past 19 years, and is a passionate supporter of greater awareness of coeliac disease amongst healthcare professionals.

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disease caused by an intolerance to gluten and affects 1 in 100 people in the UK. However, research suggests that only 1 in 8 or 12.5% of those have been diagnosed. Left undiagnosed coeliac disease can lead to osteoporosis, infertility or bowel cancer.

This year Coeliac UK campaigned for earlier diagnosis during Coeliac Awareness Week between 14 – 20 May and gained wide media coverage across national and regional press, monthly and weekly magazines and on the radio and television as well as a number of websites. Nearly 200 separate opportunities enabled people to hear or read about the campaign, which highlighted recent research findings that it takes an average of 13 years for the disease to be diagnosed.

Dr Steele said, "I whole heartedly support the campaign for the early diagnosis of coeliac disease; it is a disgrace the delay people have to endure from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis – it is totally unacceptable!"

Sarah Sleet, said, "We are delighted that Dr Steele has agreed to be our first ambassador; he will be instrumental in the continuing fight to raise the awareness of coeliac disease, which is considered to be the most under diagnosed common chronic condition in the UK today."

More information about Coeliac Disease

• Coeliac is pronounced see-lee-ack
• Coeliac disease is NOT an allergy but an autoimmune disease caused by an intolerance to gluten
• Coeliac UK is the national charity supporting people with coeliac disease.
• Around 1000 newly-diagnosed people join Coeliac UK every month. Members receive an annual Food and Drink Directory, which lists over 11,000 foods they can eat, Crossed Grain – a regular magazine, as well as information and telephone support.
• A wide range of case studies of men, women and children are available on request
• Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley, which can be found in cakes, biscuits, pasta, beer and bread; it can also be found in a wide range of products from soy sauce to fish fingers and mayonnaise to baked beans.

For more information visit www.coeliac.org.uk

This article was published on Tue 24 July 2007

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