Cliff Notes – Emma Willis makes strong comeback on red carpet weeks after heart surgery
- Emma Willis made a public appearance at the BAFTA TV Craft Award nominees’ party, just weeks after undergoing keyhole surgery for a previously undiagnosed heart condition.
- The presenter expressed gratitude for her husband Matt Willis’s support during her recovery and highlighted the marvels of modern medicine in her Instagram post.
- Emma revealed she had been living with a ‘hole in her heart’ for 48 years, a condition that can lead to serious health issues if left untreated.
Emma Willis makes strong comeback on red carpet weeks after heart surgery
Emma Willis makes a surprise appearance after her heart surgery (Picture: Kate Green/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA)
Emma Willis has made a dramatic comeback after her shocking revelation that she had a ‘hole in her heart’ and needed surgery.
The presenter, 49, revealed that she recently recovered from keyhole surgery after learning she had been ‘pottering around for 48 years blissfully unaware I had a hole in my heart.’
Her husband Matt Willis, 41, was by her side throughout the operation and for her first public appearance since the health crisis.
The couple, who have been together since the 00s, wore coordinated black suits at London’s V&A Museum for the Baftas TV Craft Award nominees’ party.
Emma was all smiles as they arrived, showing off her abs in a cropped black top and an embroidered suit.
The Busted icon kept things simple with his own sleek black suit and black open shirt, with his tattoos peaking out.
She had been living with a hole in her heart (Picture: Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)
Emma showed off her abs as she walked the red carpet (Picture: Kate Green/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA)
It was only 24 hours before that Emma revealed her heart condition, reassuring fans she was okay and recovering well.
‘A few weeks ago, I had keyhole heart surgery, which feels very strange to write, and even stranger when I say it out loud.
‘From investigations last year, to diagnosis and then surgery, they were absolutely incredible. As was Matt Willis who never left my side 💕,’ she wrote in a lengthy post on Instagram.
A ‘hole in the heart’ refers to septal defects, which means a hole between two of the heart’s chambers.
There is no known cause of an atrial septal defect (ASD), but it is something that sufferers are born with and symptoms can be mild in childhood.
Husband Matt Willis was by her side the whole way (Picture: Tim Whitby/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA)
Emma was ‘blissfully unaware’ of her heart condition (Picture: Emma Willis/Instagram)
Extra blood flows through the defect to the right of the heart, causing it to stretch and enlarge, resulting in pain, heart murmurs, and breathlessness.
A ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a similar disease but is caused by a hole between the two pumping chambers of the heart.
It causes high pressure in the lungs as extra blood flows to it, stretching the left chamber.
Small holes can close themselves eventually, but if the hole becomes too big, surgical intervention is needed.
Speaking about the heart revelation, the former Big Brother host added: ‘Isn’t it bonkers what’s happening in our bodies that we have no idea about.
She had keyhole heart surgery just weeks ago (Picture: Emma Willis/Instagram)
Thankfully Emma is well on the mend (Picture: Emma Willis/Instagram)
‘What blows my mind even more is the wonders of modern medicine, and the spectacular people that save, fix and help us every single day. Can you imagine what it must feel like to have a pair of hands that can do that job?! They are the real superstar… ⭐️’
She shared a handful of pictures from her time in the hospital, with Matt by her side the whole time.
They joined the likes of Nicola Coughlan and her boyfriend Jake Dunn, who started dating at the end of last year, on the red carpet.
The Bridgerton star, 38, rocked a black blazer mini-dress with huge bow and train as she cosied up to Jake, 25, for snaps.
Other celebs like David Tennant attended the BAFTA Television and Television Craft Nominees’ Party (Picture: Kate Green/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA)
Joe and Dianne got the co-ordinating couple memo (Picture: Kate Green/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA)
Nicola Coughlan brought the glam, as always (Picture:Kate Green/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA)
Dianne Buswell and her partner Joe Sugg also made an appearance, with the pro dancer’s floral white gown harmonising with the YouTuber’s simple earthy jacket.
Doctor Who icon David Tennant, 54, continued his usual fashion edge with a black and gold button-down jacket, covered in butterflies.
Fellow former Who star Billie Piper, 42, was also in attendance, wearing a sheer black overcoat gown over a black bodysuit.
Judi Love, Ellie Simmonds, and Ella Morgan all joined the fun at the historic museum.
