EMMA Willis made a stunning return to the spotlight last night as she showed up on the red carpet in her first public appearance after heart surgery.
Emma, 49, arrived arm in arm with husband Matt as the couple attended a star-studded BAFTA event.
7
7
7
The TV personality was dressed in red wearing a tailored jumpsuit which she paired with some chic leopard heels.
Alongside her husband Matt, 42, Emma attended the British Vogue and Netflix BAFTA TV party in London.
The couple could be seen smiling and holding hands as they made there way into the venue.
It marked her first major public appearance since undergoing heart surgery to correct a congenital condition — a hole in her heart that had gone undetected for nearly 50 years.
Although surgery and the physical recovery relatively smooth, for Emma the emotional journey proved more challenging.
“It’s a bit of a head scramble when you find out something like that, that you’ve had something there your whole life, and you had no idea about it,” she said.
“I’m a brilliant overthinker, and my mind will go in every possible direction and scenario, so going into something like surgery, I really got myself at it, I get really anxious and nervous.”
Fortunately, the keyhole procedure was done a month ago, which allowed her to avoid the long recovery that comes with open-heart surgery.
She continued: “It’s been a smooth recovery, it’s been much more of a psychological adjustment, because you don’t have a wound that you can see.
“The healing is all internal and you can’t feel it.
“It’s getting your head around the fact that your heart has to learn how to work in a different way to how it’s worked for nearly half a century.”
Helping her navigate this emotional shift has been husband Matt. The Busted star, TV presenter and an outspoken mental health advocate has faced battles with addiction.
“Any kind of weirdness with it send you a bit panicky, but I’ve got a good little coach here on breath work and wellness,” she added.
The former Big Brother presenter will also be making her return to TV as she is set to star in brand new BBC One show centred around mental health with her husband.
Change Your Mind, Change Your Life with Matt and Emma Willis is set to air May 13.
The four-part series will see the TV couple team up with therapists in the UK to help navigate life’s modern challenges.
Speaking about fronting their new series, Matt and Emma said: “Therapy has played a huge role in both of our lives, not just individually but as a couple too.
“It’s given us the tools to understand ourselves and each other better, and we know firsthand how powerful that can be.
“With this documentary series we’ll hear from incredible experts and see what really happens in the therapy room, to help break down the stigma and start conversations.
“We’ll meet those taking part and follow the process each step of the way, which we hope will show the benefits of talking and prioritising mental wellbeing.
“We know that therapy isn’t always easy to access, so by bringing it to TV, we hope to give people a window into the process and share tools that could help them navigate their own challenges.
“Asking for help is never a weakness; it’s one of the bravest things you can do.”
7
7
7
7