brave

Julia has since revealed that her health battle had held her back over the years

Julia Bradbury has shared a heartfelt family admission as she recalled a time she didn’t feel “brave enough” after her cancer diagnosis.

The 51-year-old presenter was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021 and had a mastectomy to remove a 6cm tumour the same year.

The star, who is now cancer free, is set to return to our TV screens with her new three-part ITV series, Wonders of the Frozen South, which documents her 23-day voyage across the Southern Ocean.

The journey took Julia to Paradise Harbour on Antarctica’s western edge, where she tackled a short hill climb before stopping to absorb the stunning landscape around her.

However Julia has since revealed her health battle had held her back as she admitted that she wouldn’t have been able to travel alone a few years ago as she said she didn’t feel “brave enough” to leave her family.

During an appearance on Friday’s (February 13) episode of Lorraine, Julia said: “After I went through the breast cancer diagnosis in 2021 then I had my mastectomy, there was a very tender emotional time in my life where I didn’t think I would ever want to leave my family again.”

She continued: “I don’t mean anybody wants to leave them but I didn’t think I’d be brave enough to. You just want everybody that you care about to be as close as possible. So the fact that five years on, I’ve been as far away from home as you could possibly get.”

Following her ordeal, Julia has undergone major lifestyle transformations, including a complete reassessment of her eating habits.

She’s now adopted a cleaner approach to nutrition, prioritising whole foods, beneficial fats and high-quality proteins, while steering clear of sugar and heavily processed items.

The television star has also cut out alcohol after medical advice highlighted that even moderate drinking could heighten the chances of cancer returning.

Stress management has additionally become a central focus, with Julia now practising meditation, breathing exercises, keeping a journal and spending time in nature each day.

Speaking to Bella magazine previously, she emphasised: “Stress and emotional health are things that we should all take very seriously. People don’t think that they have a physical impact, but they do.”

The broadcaster has also transformed her approach to skincare, explaining: “I’ve always been a sucker for beauty products, but after my diagnosis I became much more conscious about what I put on my skin and the potential impact of chemicals we often don’t think twice about.

“Now my make-up, skincare and sun lotions are clean. I love Green People because it’s organic and marine-friendly, and the brand also donates to the Marine Conservation Society.”

The first episode of Julia Bradbury’s Wonders of the Frozen South airs on February 15 at 12.45pm on ITV and Lorraine airs weekdays from 9:30am on ITV1 and ITVX