BBC Radio 2 star Nicki Chapman thought six key signs of her brain tumour were symptoms of the menopause, before being rushed to hospital and discovering what was really happening.
The 57-year-old was a promotions assistant in the music industry before becoming a television favourite on Simon Cowell’s Popstars.
During her time in the music business, she worked with some of the biggest names, including David Bowie, the Spice Girls and Take That.
In 2019 however, Nicki’s first began to see signs of a health problem. Initially dismissing symptoms such as tiredness, forgetfulness, and getting lost in familiar places as down to her being menopausal, Nicki’s situation took a dramatic turn while working on Escape to the Country.
She experienced what she believed to be a migraine, but after a visit to A&E, the truth emerged. Speaking to The Guardian, Nicki revealed: “In 2019, I was diagnosed with a brain tumour. At first I thought it was menopause. I was tired. I was forgetful. I got lost walking down Regent Street.”
She continued, detailing the alarming progression of her condition: “You make allowances for your behaviour.
“Then I had a couple of moments where I couldn’t type, I couldn’t read a book, and I couldn’t speak.”
The reality struck when she added, “I was voicing Escape to the Country at the time, and I thought I’d had a migraine. It turns out I’d had a stroke. I went to A&E and they found the tumour.”
Nicki bravely faced a four-and-a-half hour surgery to extract a golf ball-sized tumour, instructing doctors not to revive her if complications arose. Reflecting on the ordeal, Nicki admitted she thought her “time was up,” yet felt she had “a great life” and was determined to live “even better” if she survived.
Miraculously recovering, she emerged “much stronger” from the experience. In a heartfelt discussion with The Brain Tumour Charity in 2020, Nicki shared: “When I look back, 2019 isn’t a year I’d want to repeat, but that’s life, there’s nothing I could have done about it.”
She expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support, saying, “I’ve been amazed at people’s reactions, both those close to me and people on the street who want to say hello and maybe share a personal story but without ever infringing on my space. People have been so kind and wanted to share their genuine warmth with me.”
Nicki will be appearing on Sunday Brunch with Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer on Channel 4 today at 9.30am.
