Judy Finnigan recalls how horror health scare left her ‘nearly dying’: ‘Totally out of the blue’
Former This Morning star Judy Finnigan has revealed she “nearly died” after being rushed to hospital in 2018 with a ruptured stomach ulcer.
The 77-year-old required two life-saving blood transfusions after falling seriously ill from taking ibuprofen “like sweeties” for a knee injury.
“I nearly died. Totally out of the blue never experienced anything like it before and hope to god I never will again,” Finnigan said.
She praised the ambulance crew and emergency treatment at London’s Royal Free Hospital, saying she could have “bleed out within an hour” without their swift intervention.
Speaking to The Daily Mail, she said: “I survived thanks to exceptionally swift arriving and skilled ambulance crew and superb emergency treatment.”
Since the health scare, Finnigan has undergone a remarkable transformation, losing two stone through changes to her diet and exercise routine.
Her personal trainer daughter Chloe Madeley, 34, guided her through a revised programme including reduced daily calorie intake, smaller portions, and eating less but more frequently alongside regular exercise.
“Her diet now is amazing,” Chloe said during a 2018 appearance on Loose Women.
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“Naturally, her palate has changed, she’s gotten really into sushi, raw fish, big multigrain salads and she’s dropped loads of weight just naturally from changing the old meat and potatoes to something healthier.”
Just last week, Judy looked radiant as she celebrated her 77th birthday with those closest to her.
The TV veteran marked the special day with fun-filled snaps, showing off her figure in a floral dress.
She was showered with birthday love from family and friends, treated to cake, balloons, presents and flowers.
The celebration highlighted her remarkable transformation following her health scare and subsequent lifestyle changes guided by her daughter.
Judy’s birthday celebration comes weeks after her husband Richard Madeley marked his 69th birthday live on Good Morning Britain, with fans expressing disbelief at his youthful appearance.
The GMB crew surprised him with a Happy Birthday song, flashing lights at six in the morning, and digital balloons on screen.
Richard shared his theory behind his youthful looks, crediting his decades on television.
“I’ve been on TV almost every day since the late 1970s. If you look at yourself in the shaving mirror everyday, you can’t see yourself getting older,” he explained.
“But if you looked every three months, you’ll notice it. So I’m on everyday here, mostly. So of course I’m aging, obviously I am. But because I’m on all the time it’s not as noticeable.”