Emma Willis, 48, shares shocking health diagnosis as presenter underwent secret heart surgery
Television presenter Emma Willis has revealed she recently underwent keyhole heart surgery after discovering she had a hole in her heart.
The 48-year-old former Big Brother host shared the news on social media, explaining that she had the procedure a few weeks ago following investigations and diagnosis last year.
Willis posted images from hospital, including photos with her husband Matt Willis, who she said remained by her side throughout the ordeal.
In her heartfelt social media post, Willis thanked the team at the Royal Brompton Hospital for their “care and support” during her treatment journey.
“A few weeks ago, I had keyhole heart surgery, which feels very strange to write, and even stranger when I say it out loud,” she wrote.
The presenter shared that her experience ranged from “investigations last year, to diagnosis and then surgery,” praising the medical staff as “absolutely incredible.”
Willis expressed amazement at “the wonders of modern medicine, and the spectacular people that save, fix and help us every single day.”
In her post, Willis revealed she had been living with an undetected heart condition for decades.
“Turns out, I’ve been pottering around for 48 years blissfully unaware I had a hole in my heart,” she shared.
The presenter expressed her surprise at the discovery, adding: “Isn’t it bonkers what’s happening in our bodies that we have no idea about.”
The condition was only discovered following medical investigations that began last year, eventually leading to her diagnosis and subsequent surgery.
Throughout her medical journey, Willis praised her husband Matt for his unwavering support.
“As was @mattjwillis who never left my side,” she wrote in her social media post.
The presenter shared images of the couple together in what appeared to be a hospital room, with one showing her asleep on her husband’s shoulder.
Another photo captured the pair smiling together during her hospital stay.
The couple has been together since 2004, when they met while Emma was working as a presenter on MTV and Matt appeared with his band, Busted.
Willis personally thanked numerous staff members who cared for her, particularly highlighting her surgeon.
“She was recommended as ‘a spectacular pair of hands’, but my god, she’s that and so much more,” Willis wrote about Dr Ee Ling Heng.
The presenter praised Dr Heng’s “ease and warmth” while remaining “incredibly professional and informative.”
“I ask a million questions, and she answered them with the patience of a saint,” Willis added.
She concluded: “I knew as soon as we met that she was the woman I wanted poking around in my heart.”
Willis made sure to thank all the medical professionals involved in her care, including “Dr Alexander Lyon who investigated like a true super sleuth” and “Professor Wei Li, echocardiogram extraordinaire.”
She also expressed gratitude to the nursing staff, mentioning “Paulette, who was always up for a chat, gave great hugs, and loves a cinnamon slice as much as I do!”