Exclusive: Former BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin opens up about the aftermath of suffering frostbite during her Arctic adventure challenge
BBC presenter Louise Minchin has opened up about her frostbite hell, admitting she doesn’t know what her “long-term recovery” looks like following her Arctic adventure challenge.
The 57-year-old was forced to quit cycling 300 miles in three days in Canada’s remote Northwest Territories in March. But four months on she revealed how her toes were still affected, while her fingers were now “ok”.
Writing in her newsletter, Louise admits: “To say things did not go to plan is an understatement. I did cycle a long way, about 140km in treacherous conditions but with the temperature falling to -40C unfortunately I got severe frost bite in my fingers and toes. It is not something you can feel, so I had no idea I had it, nor how serious it was until after I pulled out of the race because my companion Mimi Anderson had to stop cycling because her hands were so numb she couldn’t change gear.”
The presenter added: “I’m glad to say, she’s made a full recovery, but I still haven’t. I will spare you details at this point as I am still being treated and don’t know exactly what my long-term recovery will look like. Suffice to say my fingers are OK, but not all of my toes.”
Louise was taken to hospital at the time after abandoning the cycle, which was to raise money for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. She had only been 14 hours into the Inuvik Weekend Warrior Fat Bike Challenge when she had to use the emergency beacon to get help.
She has previously admitted: “It was quite difficult to get out the emergency beacon, actually, and press the button when your hands are obviously very cold. We got picked up eventually by part of the team, got in the car, and I was shivering a lot.
“My friend was really not speaking a lot, and we started warming up, and I took off my glove and looked at my hands, and my thumb did not look like it should. Immediately, everybody in the car, we realised that I had frostbite and it wasn’t just on my thumb. It was fingers as well and all of my toes, except for one.” Louise added: “I can’t thank the people who’ve helped me as well. In Inuvik in Northern Canada, I got incredible care. I’ve had incredible care from all the doctors, nurses, etc, here in the UK from the NHS. Absolutely brilliant.”
Signs of frostbite can include numbness, pain, and skin appearing red or pale, according to the NHS. However under prolonged exposure, symptoms can get worse to include hard, frozen skin, swelling and loss of feeling in the affected area and blisters filled with blood or clear/milky fluid. The skin can eventually turn black as it starts to die.
Louise quit BBC Breakfast in 2021 after 20 years on the sofa alongside Charlie Stayt, Dan Walker and Bill Turnbull. She has since worked on Morning Live, as well as Rip-Off Britain. Announcing her decision to quit BBC Breakfast, Louise said: “”I have absolutely loved being part of the six million-strong BBC Breakfast family but, after nearly two decades presenting the programme, I have decided it is time I stopped setting my alarm for 03.40 in the morning.
“I will take so many memories with me, including reporting on the shock and anguish of the Manchester Arena bombing; starting a national conversation about menopause; and the life-changing moment I took part in the Breakfast Christmas Cycling Challenge, which inspired my ongoing passion for endurance sport, which I will continue when I leave.
“A big thank you to everyone who has watched and supported me. I have loved it and I will miss you all.”
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