Rachael Ray sparks concern among fans with 'slurring' speech in new video

Rachael Ray sparked concern for her health among fans after posting a video  which appeared to show her slurring her speech.

The cook and TV personality, 56, shocked fans when she posted a preview from new show, Rachael Ray in Tuscany - which showed her cooking Ossobuco while paying tribute to the late Tony Bennett.

However, as an emotional Ray recounted Bennett hitting his head on her marble counter and fearing she had 'killed him' - fans were left enquiring about her own health. 

One fan wrote: 'Is she slurring or am I slurring' while a second typed: 'I love you but are you ok? I’m seriously concerned.'

Others penned: 'Rachel is in a bit of trouble?! I hope someone is just as concerned as I am?', 'Wait! What’s going on with Rachael Ray?' and 'She's aging like the rest of us. Maybe she has a medical condition, maybe she is on medication. Regardless, no need to be mean.'

'What the heck is wrong with her? Messy hair, slurring words….wow just wow …' 

Other viewers came out in support of the star, writing: 'Such negative comments on here. Leave Rachel alone. People are going through different things in life that we don’t know. Let’s just be kind.'

'I adore Rachael, I would give anything to cook with her and share some wine and laughs with her! She is the most giving and talented person with so much heart, and she deserves nothing but love and respect from her fans, she has mine!'

'People leave her alone, menopause hits us all different. Instead of putting her down enjoy the scrumptious food and fun stories.'  

DailyMail.com has contacted Rachael Ray's representatives for comment. 

Last year Ray announced the end of her daytime talk show after 17 seasons.

'In my more than 20 plus years in television I have had 17 wonderful seasons working in daytime television with Rachael,' Ray's statement began. 

'However I’ve made the decision that it’s time for me to move on to the next exciting chapter in my broadcast career.'

Debuting in 2006, The Rachael Ray Show became the top syndicated program launched that year and went on to amass 37 Daytime Emmy nominations across its subsequent 17 seasons, winning three for Outstanding Talk Show. 

The core of Rachael's format highlights her relatable cooking skills in addition to her fun and easygoing interview style.

Celebrity guests are a major element, as the 30-Minute Meals star has interviewed A-listers like Gwyneth Paltrow, the Kardashians and even former First Lady Michelle Obama.

The Rachael Ray Show was one of the first daytime programs to resume filming amid the Covid pandemic, returning for its 16th season in October 2021. 

2020 was a difficult year for Ray and her husband John Cusimano, 56, as the couple lost their home in upstate New York to an accidental fire in August 2020.

They also suffered through their Manhattan apartment flooding in September of that year, plus their pit bull Isaboo passed away that summer in June.

In 2008 Ray's representative shot down rumors she had a throat cancer scare - saying: 'Rachael is the picture of health. She is having very minor surgery to remove a benign cyst on her vocal cord.

'It’s a common in-and-out procedure that she will have in early December and it will not adversely effect any of her daytime show or Food Network tapings.'