This Morning's resident 'Queen of Soaps', Sharon Marshall, has bravely shared the harrowing details of a near-fatal health crisis triggered by an extreme bout of hay fever. The 54-year-old television personality recounted the terrifying episode during an interview with hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley, describing how she was left in cardiac arrest and unable to breathe, coming within 30 minutes of death.
A Misdiagnosed Struggle
Sharon initially attributed her breathing difficulties to being unfit while training for a running race. However, the situation escalated dramatically one night when she awoke feeling as though she was being buried alive, completely unable to breathe. Rushed to hospital, she was diagnosed with severe adult-onset asthma and treated with high-strength inhalers for years, unaware that hay fever was the underlying cause.
She recalled collapsing at her doctor's surgery and regaining consciousness in an ambulance, where medics informed her she was going into cardiac arrest. Her first concern was mundane: feeding her cat, highlighting the surreal nature of the emergency. Sharon spent a week in hospital and relied on potent asthma medications, yet her symptoms flared annually during pollen season, leaving her breathless and struggling with daily activities like climbing stairs.
The Hay Fever Revelation
The breakthrough came while Sharon was working on This Morning. A medic and the show's allergy expert, Professor Adam Fox, identified the link between her hay fever and the severe asthma attacks. Professor Fox explained that inflamed nasal passages from hay fever can send signals to the lungs, triggering asthma-like symptoms that can become life-threatening.
This insight led to a correct diagnosis, and Sharon began desensitisation therapy, an expensive treatment that teaches the body not to react to pollen. She described the outcome as miraculous and life-changing, now living symptom-free.
Dr Zoe Williams' Spinal Surgery Journey
In a related health update, This Morning's Dr Zoe Williams discussed her recovery from major spinal surgery for severe spinal stenosis, a condition that compresses spinal nerves. After years of chronic back pain, she underwent a lumbar decompression procedure, walking out of hospital the same day.
Dr Zoe expressed relief at being pain-free, noting how debilitating chronic pain had been. Her recovery involved challenges like dependency on her partner and inability to exercise, but she adopted a positive mindset, viewing the rest period as an opportunity. She shared her journey on social media to educate others about spinal health, emphasising that individual cases vary.
Past Health Scares
Dr Zoe also reflected on a previous health scare in 2024, when an abnormal heart rhythm led to a hospital stay and her writing an emergency will. She highlighted the importance of not taking health for granted, using her experiences to raise awareness.
This Morning continues to air weekdays on ITV1 and ITVX from 10am, featuring candid discussions on health and wellness.
