Emma Willis

Emma Willis, host of The Voice UK, underwent keyhole heart surgery last year after discovering she had unknowingly lived with a congenital hole in her heart

The Voice UK presenter Emma Willis previously opened up about a health condition she had no idea about for over four decades.

The 50-year-old will be back on screens tonight (Saturday, August 22) to present the latest series of the ITV singing competition, with Destiny’s Child superstar Kelly Rowland joining as a coach alongside Sir Tom Jones, will.i.am and duo Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher.

Emma revealed she underwent successful keyhole heart surgery in early 2025 after discovering she had unknowingly lived with a congenital hole in her heart and an enlarged side for 48 years.

She has since recovered well with the support of her husband, Matt Willis. Routine health checks and an MRI revealed an enlarged heart, which led to further investigation by a cardiologist who found the congenital heart defect.

The mother-of-three underwent a successful keyhole procedure at the Royal Brompton Hospital. and while the physical healing was smooth, she noted that the psychological adjustment of recovering from internal heart changes took time.

Taking to Instagram to share snaps from hospital after she had keyhole heart surgery, Emma penned: :A big humungous THANK YOU to the team at the Royal Brompton Hospital for their care and support. 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 @mattjwillis who never left my side. Turns out, I’ve been pottering around for 48 years blissfully unaware I had a hole in my heart isn’t it bonkers what’s happening in our bodies that we have no idea about.

“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 continued:”A few of those people are Dr Alexander Lyon who investigated like a true super sleuth. Professor Wei Li, echocardiogram extraordinaire. Catrina, Carl and Tim who kept me at ease and humoured me when they were putting me to sleep.

“Marcus, Janet, Jayne, Hannah and Reem who monitored me at various points. Paulette, who was always up for a chat, gave great hugs, and loves a cinnamon slice as much as I do!

“There was a lovely woman with me in recovery but I was so out of it I can’t remember her name (so so sorry ) and my surgeon, Dr Ee Ling Heng… She was recommended as ‘a spectacular pair of hands’, but my god, she’s that and so much more.

“She has an ease and warmth that made me feel instantly comfortable all whilst being incredible professional and informative. I ask a million questions, and she answered them with the patience of a saint I knew as soon as we met that she was the woman I wanted poking around in my heart. Thank you Ee Ling, you’re one in a trillion.”

Emma, who will host Strictly Come Dancing when it returns to BBC One next month, has since partnered with the British Heart Foundation to raise awareness for cardiovascular conditions.

The Voice UK returns on Saturday, August 22 at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX while Strictly Come Dancing kicks off next month on BBC One and BBC iPlayer

Josh Widdicombe and Emma Willis have shown their public support for Johannes Radebe ahead of their debut as Strictly Come Dancing presenters by turning up at his West End show

Josh Widdicombe and Emma Willis have shown their public support for Johannes Radebe ahead of their debut as Strictly Come Dancing presenters. It was announced earlier this year that comedian Josh, 43, along with former Big Brother host Emma, 50, and Strictly pro Johannes, 39, would be the new trio to head up the BBC Saturday night favourite in place of Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.

Johannes, who initially joined Strictly in 2018, is playing the leading role of drag queen Lola in the West End musical Kinky Boots, which is based on the 2005 film and follows a struggling shoe factory as turn to making footwear for men who dress as women in a bid to avoid closure.

On Wednesday, Josh revealed that he and Emma had paid a visit to the London Coliseum where the show is running so they could see their co-star in action.

Alongside a picture of them backstage, along with X Factor winner Matt Cardle, who plays Charlie Price, Josh wrote on Instagram: “Incredible evening watching @johannesradebe absolutely smash the west end in Kinky Boots. Emma and I a bit too in love with him in the second pic.”

The trip were previously seen expressing their excitement for their new roles at a photoshoot for the BBC dancing competition, in a behind-the-scenes video posted to Strictly Come Dancing’s Instagram.

The announcement was a long time to come, and fans have waited almost a year to find out just who will step into the roles once held by Tess and Claudia. But following the first public appearance of the trio, several fans were left divided about what is to come, with some predicting that the lineup will change again after just one series.

One fan wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: “I’m so sorry but even this photo backs up my theory that it’ll just be Emma + Johannes after 1 series. This is just so odd and you can’t keeeeep dancing like this!”

Another said: “I would have put Emma with Rylan, not sure about Josh or Johannes,” and a third, writing on Reddit, said: “producers were thoroughly surprised and impressed with Johannes during the screentest.

“I wouldn’t be surprised they added the 3rd host role specifically for him. If Josh doesn’t work out for them, they can slot Johannes right in that spot upstairs, with a year of experience under his belt. If it does all work out, they have 3 amazing hosts!”

Others had an optimistic outlook, with one viewer writing: “Good luck Josh, Emma and JoJo, looking forward to the new line-up!”

Another said: “Love Emma! Don’t know too much about Josh so will stay open minded before making judgements. I’m sort of gutted we won’t see Jojo with a partner, but I will love to watch him on my screen every week!!”

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