TV presenter Emma Willis has opened up about her hole in the heart diagnosis as she backs a British Heart Foundation campaign to raise awareness amongst people living with cardiac conditions
00:29, 15 Jan 2026Updated 01:03, 15 Jan 2026
Emma Willis had unknowingly been living with a hole in her heart for 48 years(Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
Emma Willis has revealed how she was “floored” by a hole in the heart diagnosis after meeting another mum facing the same condition.
The presenter, who this week confessed to feeling “nervous” about stepping into Zoe Ball’s shoes on BBC Radio 2’s Saturday lunchtime show this weekend, learnt she was living with a heart defect last year.
The 49 year old is now championing a fresh campaign by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to boost awareness amongst people living with cardiac conditions. Willis had unknowingly been living with a hole in her heart for 48 years, which only came to light following a routine medical examination last January.
Doctors found Emma had an enlarged heart and a gap between the heart’s collecting chambers, known as an atrial septal defect(Image: )
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Willis was informed she had a congenital condition, meaning she was born with the cardiac hole. The defect was sealed through keyhole surgery at London’s Royal Brompton Hospital just two months following her diagnosis.
Willis explained: “The last thing I expected my cardiologist to say was that it was a congenital heart condition. I was floored as I had gone 48 years oblivious, not knowing anything was wrong. It was a bolt out of the blue, and I had a million questions going through my head. The mental shift was the biggest challenge, because when you hear those words, it terrifies you.
“My perspective on life shifted. From diagnosis to surgery was the most present I have been in my life. I’m hoping that sharing my story will help others going through something like this.”
As part of her involvement with the BHF campaign, Willis had the opportunity to meet Aimee Nicholls, a woman living with a heart condition, and her eight year old son Leo, who also suffers from congenital heart disease. She also had a conversation with Michelle White, a mother of three who has endured 13 different types of heart procedures.
The BHF is set to unveil 65 red benches – one for each year the charity has been in existence – across the UK as a tribute to those battling cardiovascular disease. Each bench bears the name of a survivor along with a brief message about them and their interests.
Mrs Nicholls was born with a heart defect and underwent a keyhole procedure when she was just four years old. A scan at 20 weeks into her pregnancy revealed that her son Leo would also be born with a heart condition.
Upon his birth in November 2017, Mrs Nicholls and her husband Alex were informed that their son had multiple heart defects and would require open heart surgery at only a week old. “When we were told about Leo’s conditions, our world collapsed,” shared Mrs Nicholls, 32, from Bristol.
“We’d gone from being told he had a minor heart defect that wouldn’t require surgery and would rectify itself, to being told that without open heart surgery he wouldn’t survive. We just broke down and couldn’t process it at all.”
Following a successful operation, Leo was discharged from hospital two days before Christmas, although he may require further surgery in the future.
Mrs White, 48, hailing from Manchester, is living with a defective heart valve. Her heart condition led to an enlargement of the organ and necessitated two open-heart surgeries to mend the valve.
Subsequently, she developed several irregular heart rhythms and had a pacemaker installed. Despite suffering multiple strokes, she has been reassured that her heart is functioning well due to ongoing treatment.
She bravely stated: “I won’t let fear define me. I’m taking things step by step, staying positive, and I feel I’m at a new chapter where I can focus on what truly matters most.”
Dr Charmaine Griffiths, the chief executive of the BHF, called for donations towards vital research, expressing gratitude to Emma, Aimee, Leo and Michelle for their openness about their heart conditions.
“Their stories send a powerful message that cardiovascular disease can affect anyone, and that it’s OK to talk about your heart health.
“Our 65 iconic red BHF benches are creating spaces that celebrate real-life survivors and allow people to talk about their experiences, changing perceptions and inspiring support for research that saves and improves even more lives.”