Judy Finnigan has opened up about how a terrifying health crisis changed her life — and her body — forever.
The 77-year-old TV legend, who rose to fame alongside husband Richard Madeley, revealed she nearly died in 2018 from a ruptured stomach ulcer that left her needing two life-saving blood transfusions. The medical scare, caused by ibuprofen use, was so severe that doctors said she could have “bled out in half an hour” without emergency care.
“I nearly died. It came totally out of the blue — nothing like that had ever happened to me before,” Judy recalled, praising the ambulance crew and doctors at London’s Royal Free Hospital for saving her life.
Following the ordeal, Judy quietly began a dramatic lifestyle overhaul, working alongside her daughter Chloe Madeley, a personal trainer. Chloe helped her mother adopt a new approach to eating and exercising, and as a result, Judy lost two stone (approximately 12.7 kg) and began to reclaim her health.
The shift included smaller portions, balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and even embracing sushi and superfood salads — a far cry from her old “meat and potatoes” habits.
“She wasn’t even trying to lose weight at first,” Chloe admitted. “Her palate just changed, and next thing I knew, there were wholegrain salads and soups in the fridge!”
Now, Judy is glowing. She recently celebrated her 77th birthday surrounded by family, looking radiant in a floral Boden dress as her transformation wowed fans who’ve followed her career for decades.
Though she has largely stepped away from the public eye, Judy seems to be enjoying a renewed sense of energy, confidence, and health — a powerful comeback for someone who once came terrifyingly close to death.
