BBC star makes comment on retirement after alarming health issue mistaken as stroke

Television presenter Nicki Chapman has issued a definitive statement on whether she plans to retire any time soon. The star of Pop Idol and Escape to the Country said that she wants to continue looking forward and to stay in her profession.

Nicki’s comments came after a terrifying health incident in which she was originally believed to have had a stroke before doctors realised she had a benign melanoma on her brain. Speaking to Candismagazine about the ordeal, the BBC star said: “They thought I’d had a stroke. I cannot praise the NHS highly enough: I was looked after brilliantly from start to finish.

“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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On whether she plans to retire, Nicki added: “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.”

This isn’t the first time Nicki has spoken about her tumour and how it has affected her since she was diagnosed in 2019.

In 2024, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show presenter spoke to the Brain Tumour charity in 2020 about the experience and the distress she felt.

She said: “My symptoms were very sudden, over 24 hours. Initially doctors thought I'd had a stroke but scans revealed a golf-ball-sized meningioma.

"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."

Later, in 2024, she would tell the Mirror how much she was thankful to the NHS for their treatment of her, especially during the recovery.

She said: “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.”

Nicki added that she felt like she should share her experience so that others in the same position didn’t feel alone.

She explained: “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.”