BBC Breakfast host shares health update after 'extruciating' issue behind the scenes

Former BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin has issued an update about her health, following what she previously described as an "excruciating" experience. The 56-year-old has been an advocate for menopause awareness in recent years, emphasising the importance of open conversations, and support for women experiencing similar challenges.

Back in 2022, the host opened up about the emotional impact her menopause journey had on her, particularly while on live television.

In an interview with Hello! Magazine, she recalled having "an embarrassing conversation" with her boss about needing to cool the studio down, as she was "too hot and sweaty".

Reflecting on that moment, she told the publication: "I wasn't being a diva. It was excruciating."

Louise stepped away from the show in 2021 and took a three-year break from presenting, before joining the BBC's Rip Off Britain last year.

During her time off television, she took on a whole new career as an author, and also had more energy and time to exercise.

Louise regularly takes part in various sports such as swimming, cycling and running - all of which have helped her through difficult times.

Speaking about her health in an exclusive chat with Reach PLC, she shared: "It's helped me in lots of ways, but when I was having really bad menopausal issues, I had both physical and what I would call psychological issues.

"So I was sleeping really badly, as well as having horrific hot sweats that kept me awake.

"Also, I'm not a very anxious person, I'm blessed that I'm not, but I was feeling way more anxious than the Louise that I know, but I found that, again, exercise was really good for my physical health and all my bones, and all the rest of it.

"But again, it just gave me that moment of peace and calm, which quieted those anxious thoughts."

Louise says while going through the change made her want to curl up in a ball and stay indoors, she forced herself to get up and use some energy.

"Exercise has really held my hand through lots of difficult moments of my life, and particularly those moments when I was finding menopause and symptoms really difficult," she added.

On how she's coping now, Louise continued: "I'm great, I'm 57 on Monday and it's really interesting, I've been on a big journey with exercise really, and actually what I've learned through that is, I am really proud with what my body can do, not necessarily what it looks like, it looks like what it looks like, but to just kind of accept that it's good.

"That's been a real learning for me, that getting older, you should be proud of what your body has done and what it can do, rather than how it looks."

This weekend, Louise reunites with her former BBC Breakfast co-star Dan Walker, and other familiar faces, to take on the Tour De 4 challenge.

A brand new cycling initiative, the event was born from Sir Chris Hoy's vision to change perceptions around stage 4 cancer, following his own diagnosis in 2023.

"It is to raise money and awareness for those living with stage four cancer - and it's absolutely amazing," Louise shared.

"I know Chris quite well, I've known him for quite a long time now, and I know it'll be a hugely inspiring and emotional, exciting and exhausting day.

"I know the bike ride is really important to him and he's been absolutely on it, advertising it and talking about it, and I know he's really excited for the day."

If you'd like to help Louise raise funds for Prostate Cancer, see here.