Former Countryfile star Julia Bradbury was moved to tears while filming her latest television series, as she reflected on her battle with breast cancer
Former Countryfile host Julia Bradbury has opened up about the deeply personal motivation behind her latest television venture. The 51-year-old presenter returns to 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.
It was during this moment that the broadcaster became visibly emotional as she reflected on how much her life has changed since receiving a breast cancer diagnosis in 2021.
Julia, who is now in remission, previously had a mastectomy to remove a 6cm tumour. In a subsequent health disclosure last year, she shared that medics had found a cyst on her brain, though she was told it posed no immediate threat.
Appearing on The One Show, she continued: “They also discovered something in my ovary, but I had that checked out and that was alright as well.”
Refusing to allow her health battle to hold her back, Julia, who provided a health update this week, has immersed herself in work with fresh determination. Yet she acknowledged that committing to her latest programme was “a huge decision”.
In conversation with Woman’s Weekly magazine, she said: “This was a tough journey – to leave my family for so long – and a really big decision to make this series. I don’t want to live under a cloud of fear.
“I had to prove to myself that I could still do this, that there was a strength within me and that I was brave enough.”
Looking back on her cancer diagnosis, the mum-of three added: “It halted me in my tracks. It forced me to ask, ‘Am I living in a way that supports my health physically, mentally, emotionally?'”
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.
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