Justin Timberlake reveals secret health battle diagnosis in emotional post

Justin Timberlake has revealed that he has been diagnosed with Lyme disease, which comes after the singer has faced backlash for his performances while on tour.

The 44-year-old has been hit with criticism over recent weeks after videos emerged of him appearing 'tired' and 'hardly singing' during his The Forget Tomorrow World Tour performances.

Following the conclusion of the tour yesterday (30 July), the former NSYNC star took to Instagram to share a candid update on his health over the past couple of years.

"As many of you know, I’m a pretty private person. But as I’m reflecting on the tour and festival tour – I want to tell you a little bit about what’s going on with me," he wrote in the lengthy post.

"I’ve been battling some health issues, and was diagnosed with Lyme disease — which I don’t say so you feel bad for me – but to shed some light on what I’ve been up against behind the scenes."

What is Lyme disease?

According to the NHS, Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread by tick bites, which typically live in woodlands. Ticks can be found in most countries, however, not all of them carry Lyme disease. The illness is typically common in the upper-Midwest and Mid-Atlantic states in the US.

The most well-known warning sign for the illness is the appearance of a 'bullseye' shaped rash, however, this doesn't always show up on the skin.

Other symptoms include:

• Flu symptoms such as a high temperature, fatigue and muscle aches
• Joint pain
• Memory loss
• Nerve problems
• Heart problems
• Issues with concentration
• Inflammation

Treatment for Lyme disease typically involves a course of antibiotic treatment, with the speed of which the disease is discovered and treatment administered impacting a person's recovery.

In some cases, people with Lyme disease can develop symptoms or complications years after the initial diagnosis, known as Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome.

These symptoms include tiredness and a loss of energy but can also be as severe as fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome. It's not currently known why some people are able to make a full recovery while others have long-term complications.

Opening up about his symptoms, Timberlake explained that his symptoms had been 'debilitating' at times.

"Living with this can be relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically," he wrote.

"When I first got the diagnosis I was shocked for sure. But, at least I could understand why I would be onstage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or, just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness."

Which celebrities have Lyme disease?

Numerous high profile celebrities have been diagnosed with Lyme disease in recent years, notably Bella Hadid, Ben Stiller, Avril Lavigne, Amy Schumer, Alec Baldwin and Justin Bieber.