Nicki Chapman, the beloved television presenter famous for Pop Idol and Escape to the Country, has decisively put retirement speculation to rest, reaffirming her passion for her work despite a serious health challenge.
Her determination to continue her career comes after a frightening health scare when she was initially suspected to have suffered a stroke. Subsequent tests revealed she had a non-cancerous brain tumour known as a meningioma. Reflecting on the ordeal in an interview with Candis magazine, Nicki praised the NHS and shared her remarkable recovery journey.
“They thought I’d had a stroke. I cannot praise the NHS highly enough: I was looked after brilliantly from start to finish,” she said. “I went back to work six weeks to the day after surgery. I’m 58. I have my health, my various jobs, and my lovely husband.”
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When asked about retirement plans, Nicki was unequivocal: “Heavens no. If you’re lucky enough to love what you do, keep doing it. And I’ve never been someone who looks back. I always look forward – in both senses of the phrase.”
Nicki’s battle with a brain tumour began in 2019, and she openly discussed her experience with the Brain Tumour Charity in 2020. She described the sudden onset of symptoms that led to her diagnosis: “My symptoms were very sudden, over 24 hours. Initially doctors thought I’d had a stroke but scans revealed a golf-ball-sized meningioma.”
She also spoke about the emotional difficulty of sharing her diagnosis. “It’s the initial shock of diagnosis and then the shock when you tell people—that’s even more distressing. It’s like a slap. When you have to ring people—your family—and tell them; it’s just hideous.”
Despite the challenges, Nicki’s recovery has been remarkable. In 2024, she expressed gratitude to the NHS for the exceptional care she received and emphasized her positive outlook on life. “Fortunately, my experience was a good one, my recovery was amazing, but I still take one day at a time. I’m a very positive person, so to always put a positive spin on life has helped keep me going.”
Her willingness to share her journey aims to offer hope and reassurance to others facing similar struggles. “I decided to speak out after my operation as I felt not only had I received the best care I could have asked for from my local hospital and the NHS, but also that my story may help others going through something similar.”