Esme Young, judge on The Great British Sewing Bee, has opened up about a terrifying health scare that left her fearing for her life. The 75-year-old fashion designer, known for her calm and encouraging presence on the BBC show, revealed she was rushed to hospital after suffering a severe allergic reaction. Young, who has been a judge since the series began in 2013, said the incident occurred while she was at home and left her struggling to breathe.
Speaking about the ordeal, Young explained that she had eaten something that triggered a sudden and extreme reaction. 'I couldn't breathe, and I thought, this is it,' she said. 'My throat was closing up, and I was terrified.' She was taken to hospital by ambulance, where doctors administered emergency treatment. The experience has left her more cautious about what she eats, though she remains as cheerful and down-to-earth as ever.
Despite the scare, Young continues to enjoy simple pleasures, including her beloved Mini Cheddars, which she has requested in the green room since her first day on Sewing Bee. 'I don't make demands at all,' she said. 'Without the crew and producers, there wouldn't be a show. We're all friends.' Young also shared her love of cooking, from her mother's Elizabeth David cookbooks to Greek food on the island of Sifnos, where she has holidayed since 1985.
The health scare has not dampened her spirit. Young, who still lives in the same tiny flat she moved into in 1982, continues to entertain friends and family, cramming up to eight people in for dinner. She also makes Christmas cakes every year for loved ones, a tradition she maintains despite her busy schedule. 'I cook them really slowly, and because I'm working all the time, it's tricky. But it's delicious!' she said.
