Former Countryfile presenter Julia Bradbury was overcome with emotion while filming her new ITV documentary series exploring the breathtaking landscapes of Antarctica. For the 55-year-old broadcaster, arriving at Paradise Harbour on the continent’s western edge was a profoundly personal moment.
Julia, who was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago and underwent a mastectomy, shared her feelings openly: “That’s when the tears started to roll down my face. After my diagnosis and surgery in 2021, I didn’t think I’d ever be brave enough to leave the safety of my home and family to do something like this again.”
She admitted the physical and emotional toll had left her feeling vulnerable. “I was so weak physically and emotionally raw that the idea of testing myself, making this kind of TV show, and being so far away from my partner and our children seemed impossible,” Julia revealed.
READ MORE: Man Seriously Injured in Suspected Stabbing Incident in Cheltenham
READ MORE: Amanda Owen and Ex-Husband Clive Open Up About Their “Low Lows” After Getting Lost on the Moors
Despite the emotional moment, Julia encouraged the camera crew to continue filming, determined to capture the authentic experience. Reflecting on the surreal Antarctic scene, she told MailOnline, “The sky was pink in the summer, icebergs dotted the horizon, and a solitary humpback whale was idling about and blowing spouts. I thought, ‘When I’m old, this is something I want to tell my grandchildren about.’ That’s when I realised I was truly living my second life, the one after cancer, to the full.”
In her new series, Julia Bradbury’s Wonders Of The Frozen South, the presenter embarks on a journey across one of the planet’s last great wildernesses. The three-part series begins on Sunday, February 15, with subsequent episodes airing on February 22 and March 1. Each episode captures a different stage of the expedition, culminating in their arrival at the Antarctic Peninsula.
Julia first came to national attention on BBC One’s Countryfile in 2009. After enduring 18 months of medical examinations, she was finally diagnosed with breast cancer. She has since advocated for improved screening, especially for women with dense breast tissue, calling recent recommendations for additional screenings “long overdue.”
Julia, a mother of three, shared the harrowing discovery of her lump while away from home. After her initial mammogram results showed nothing alarming, she recalled, “I was about to leave the office when my consultant decided to do another ultrasound. Thank goodness he did.”
Countryfile remains available for streaming on BBC iPlayer, while Julia Bradbury’s Wonders Of The Frozen South premieres on ITV1 at 12:45 pm on Sunday, February 15.