Julia Bradbury recalls ‘strange’ NTAs when she had to hide cancer diagnosis

Julia Bradbury has reflected on the National Television Awards 2021 where she had to conceal her breast cancer diagnosis because she hadn’t year told her children about it.

The presenter announced she was battling the disease in September last year, before undergoing a mastectomy one month later to have a 6cm tumour removed.

The 52-year-old has been incredibly open about her journey, filming Julia Bradbury: Breast Cancer and Me, which is up for the Authored Documentary award at the starry event.

Speaking to Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield on Thursday’s This Morning, Julia spoke about her ‘very strange’ experience at the glitzy bash hosted by Joel Dommett last year.

She explained: ‘You never know what’s happening at home and what [eople are dealing with and Ben [Shephard] was saying to me [at the NTAs], “Why aren’t you drinking Bradders? What’s going on? Are you gonna have a glass of champagne or gonna have some vodka?”

‘And I couldn’t say anything because I hadn’t told my children yet [about the breast cancer diagnosis] and I hadn’t been open about it.

‘I really wanted to tell him more than anything, but I couldn’t and it was a very strange night, being surrounded by all of that and having to hold it in – and everyone was like, “Why are you leaving at 10pm?”‘

Julia previously told the Loose Women panel she felt ‘incredibly blessed’ to be living the life she now has, one year on from her breast cancer diagnosis.

She explained: ‘One of the things that is not spoken about with what happens next after cancer, is stress management and it is so important because it’s a big contributor to people who get cancer.’

Julia revealed she now practises meditation every night and ‘tries to find joy’  having tried taking a new outlook on life.

She described her life now as ‘a really difficult balancing act’ between taking care of her health, her personal life, and working, but credits her three children for supporting her.

‘I can’t believe it will be a year ago since I lost my breast and this chapter in my life began. But also, my children continue to grow and I want to be there so much for them,’ she added.

This Morning airs from 10am on weekdays on ITV.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : This Morning viewers slam cooking segment including ‘£100 truffles’ amid cost of living crisis: ‘Could you be anymore tone deaf?’

MORE : Ed Balls brutally told he’s ‘wasted’ at Good Morning Britain: ‘You should be back in the Commons where you belong’