Escape to the Country star Nicki Chapman admitted she was ’emotional’ after speaking about her harrowing experience with a brain tumour five years after undergoing surgery. The BBC TV presenter, who also hosts Wanted Down Under and the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, shared a shocking photo of her in hospital after undergoing a craniotomy – a surgical procedure that involves removing a portion of the skull to access the brain.
Nicki Chapman, 57, was diagnosed with a non-cancerous meningioma brain tumor in 2019. The former Popstars judge appeared on Morning Live to speak about her experience after initially believing she was experiencing menopause before noticing forgetfulness, tiredness, and difficulty speaking, reading, and typing.
Doctors initially thought she had suffered a stroke, but scans revealed the tumor. She still has scans every 18 months after the scary ordeal.
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Sharing the photo on Instagram, Nicki wrote: “An emotional but inspiring day filming with @bbcmorninglive discussing a very personal topic – craniotomy recovery after a brain tumour diagnosis & surgery. My tumour was successfully removed 5 years ago.
“A huge thank you to Claire who welcomed us into her Southport home & shared her experiences. Also I’d like to thank Claudia in Manchester who underwent a craniotomy to remove a malignant brain tumour in 2022. Both ladies now back at work leading full & busy lives, explaining how they & their families coped & giving some great advice on dealing with the day to day aspect of recovery.
“The film goes out this morning on @bbcmorninglive & I was delighted to be asked to be part of it. A subject so close to my heart. I hope this helps others going through something similar & raises awareness of this often devastating condition xx thank you.”
Her fans rushed to share their support, as well as their own personal experiences with brain tumours. One wrote: “So glad you made a remarkable recovery.”
Another said: “Not seen this yet nicki but will definitely watch it with my wife who has had the operation twice they couldn’t get it all the first time and the were 5 years apart . They still couldn’t get it all so she had a course of radiotherapy during covid. She’s doing well and works hard helping me run our pub in Cumbria. Well done you for highlighting this . Ps loving your evening show on mellow magic.”
“I’ve just watched on catchup. Really resonated with me because I had a colloid cyst removed in September 2023. Recovery is hard and you underestimated how much sleep is the best medicine. Great words of advice Nikki. Thank you xx,” another shared.