Julia Bradbury
Presenter Julia Bradbury, currently on TV with a new property show, chats about facing family heartache, the joy of motherhood and her passion for nature
She is the epitome of the fit and healthy woman, and her passionate enthusiasm for walking and the great outdoors has made TV presenter and broadcaster Julia Bradbury a household name. But nature-lover Julia (48) says that her natural positivity has been tested at various points in her life, and at times, she has struggled to keep smiling. “I try to put a lid on worries so they don’t get on top of me but sometimes it is hard not to let them,” she admits. “I was worried when both my parents were diagnosed with cancer within a year of each other (mum Chrissi had bowel cancer and her dad Michael had prostate cancer). I had to dig deep but we all pulled together and always erred on the side of optimism. I have always had a cup-half -full attitude and I really believe in the power of positive thought. I talk myself through, and out of, difficult situations. Smiling can change your outlook, it really works. Happily, my parents have both recovered.” Another difficult period was when she was desperate for motherhood. “I suffered from endometriosis when I was younger which can affect fertility. When I was approaching 40 I was anxious that motherhood would never happen for me,” she tells us.
“But at 41, I had my son (Zephyr, now six-and-a-half). Then I went through five rounds of IVF to have my twin daughters (Xanthe and Zena, 3). The treatment
is harsh on the body and there was heartache when it didn’t work. But then the girls arrived three years ago and now I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. It is definitely due to the life stage I’m at. I’m never going to have the body of a 20-year-old again but I don’t care; I have my beautiful babies.”
Life in her west London home sounds hectic but fun, and she looks radiant when she says that it is all she has ever dreamed of. “I sometimes have to pinch myself that I am a mum-of-three!” she smiles. Although she still loves her job, she confesses she does not like to be away from home quite as much for work as she used to now she has her brood, and family holidays are a priority – particularly camping. As president of The Camping and Caravanning Club, Julia is passionate about going under canvas. “I can’t wait to introduce my children to the great outdoors and camping! It’s so important to enjoy green spaces and to connect with nature. For children it’s good for everything, from geography to maths to resilience. You can’t teach them about nature soon enough.” Outside of her
TV work, Julia is an ambassador for several charities and is also passionate about homelessness. “I am so grateful for what I have. Sleeping rough on the streets for a BBC documentary really was life-changing for me. Trying to combat homelessness is now one of my great passions. Every time I see a homeless person in London I try to help, even it it’s just getting them a cup of tea. I am so lucky that I come from a very close family, and have wonderful friends and a loving partner (property developer Gerard Cunningham, 58). It has given me an added layer of security and confidence that has helped me through life. There are so many people in the world who have no one. I treasure and nurture my relationships and I’m thankful for them and the fact that I can just pick up the phone and have a natter with someone. We look out for each other, and support each other.” The busy presenter always has a project on the
go. Her latest ITV series is a property show, My 10K Holiday Home, on ITV. Julia, helped by designer and salvage expert Max McMurdo, is finding out if it is possible to buy and renovate a dream home abroad for just £10,000. The idea for the series started when she heard stories of people who were doing up homes abroad for small sums. She says: “I couldn’t believe there wasn’t a catch. We’ve been across Europe, Spain, Hungary, Ireland and Italy meeting people who have found holiday homes for under £10,000. I found one in Portugal and over the course of the series will be doing it up.” Max also takes on some challenges in the UK, including upcycling an old caravan. Although Julia admits sometimes projects can be scary, she does love a challenge. “I think pushing myself in my life has made me emotionally stronger. I am terrified of heights and had to climb up a precarious rock face for the TV documentary Ultimate Rock Climb. It was one of the toughest in the country, and as I was hanging off, I was crying and thinking I couldn’t go any further. But I did and it felt amazing. “As you get older it’s important to keep trying different things and still have focus and ambitions. I do power yoga and my latest challenge is to do a handstand!”
■ My 10K Holiday Home is on ITV on Tuesday evenings. If you missed the first one you can catch up on the ITV hub.
■ To find out more about the Camping and Caravanning Club visit www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk
‘I am so lucky that I come from a very close family’