How an ovary syndrome led to Bake Off star's fame

How an ovary syndrome led to Bake Off star's fameImage source, Naked West/FremantleImage caption, Briony May Williams competed in the Great British Bake Off in 2018 and has since gone on to present programmes such as BBC One's Escape To The CountryByJonathan Holmes, West of England and Paris Troy, BBC Radio BristolPublished16 June 2026When Briony May Williams was signed off sick from her job as a teacher in Bristol in 2013, she began baking as a way to deal with the stress of it all."I had lots of symptoms, I was absolutely exhausted and could barely walk up stairs, my body odour changed and funny things like that," she said.After seven months, she was diagnosed with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS).PMOS is a hormonal and metabolic disorder, which until recently was known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)."If I hadn't got that in 2013, I wouldn't have started baking," Williams said. "If I hadn't started baking and carried on baking, I wouldn't have gone on Bake Off five years later and my life wouldn't be what it is now."More from BristolBoy was 'playfighting' before fatal stabbing - courtPublished15 JuneCan you block a driveway without a dropped kerb?Published6 days agoAttempted murder arrest after hit-and-runPublished15 JuneSince her first TV appearance on the Great British Bake Off in 2018, Williams has built a career as a presenter.She has worked for BBC One shows Morning Live and Escape To The Country, as well as Channel 4's Food Unwrapped.Back in 2013, Williams was put on a treatment regime following her diagnosis, and within two months was able to return to work. Williams, who manages her symptoms through medication and diet, is now hoping to increase public awareness of PMOS and improve diagnosis rates.What is PMOS?The syndrome affects how women's ovaries work, according to the NHS, external.The three main features of PMOS are irregular periods; high levels...