Charlie Hardwick, who left the ITV soap in 2015 after her character Val Pollard was dramatically killed off in Emmerdale revealed her shock over being informed of having the auto-immune disease.
Speaking exclusively to the Express.co.uk Charlie said: “That was a big shock.
“I got very poorly in the summer and they didn’t know what was wrong with me and neither did I. I was diagnosed with Celiac disease.”
Celiac disease also called Coeliac disease is a common digestive condition where the small intestine becomes inflamed and is unable to absorb nutrients which can result in severe abdominal pain and unexpected weight loss as stated by the NHS.
The NHS also state it is advised people with the disease stick to a gluten-free diet.
The actress revealed she was diagnosed with the condition four months ago but thought her symptoms were an allergy to eating bread.
She added: “I thought it was just an allergy to bread and bizarrely it is an auto-immune disease.
“I had absolutely no idea and I’ve been very unsympathetic in the past and I’ve learned my lesson now. Gluten to a celiac is deadly poison.”
Fortunately for the star, her health is on the mend as she admitted: “I’m back on track and I’m now a big ambassador for the Celiac society.”
Meanwhile the actress recently opened the actress has revealed she was “heartbroken” after she learned her alter ego would be unable to return to the show.
The 57-year-old exclusively spoke to Express.co.uk, saying she loved Val and was upset she could never go back to the Dales .
She commented: “I was heartbroken. Not about returning but about them killing Val because I loved her.
“I really loved Val, even her clothes, like dry cleaning. I’m not a woman who does dry cleaning, I envied her fine knits. I was very sad.”
Fans will recall the memorable character was brutally killed in a hall of mirrors when she was fatally pierced by a large pane of glass.
Charlie has now transitioned to theatre and her latest role is in the world premiere of Clear White Light at the Live Theatre in Newcastle.
The play is a gothic story, inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher, set in a psychiatric hospital.
Charlie is playing the role of Maddie who is a patient at the hospital.
Speaking on her transition back to theatre from television, she admitted: “It’s my first love and I’ve come back.
“This theatre I’m in at the moment, the Live Theatre company was the first company I ever saw performing. The first ever stage show I saw as a teenager.”
On what people can expect from the play, Charlie revealed: “There’s quite a bit of laughter in this. Your properly spooked by it but also moved by [the play] so it’s a rollercoaster ride.
Clear White Light is running at Live Theatre until November 10. You can purchase tickets at www.live.org.uk