Heart 80s breakfast presenter Simon Beale has undergone emergency surgery after suffering a major heart attack. The 53-year-old DJ, who presents for Global's Heart 80s Breakfast, said he is 'grateful to be alive' after collapsing while walking his dog three weeks ago.
In an emotional Instagram post, Beale described the experience as a 'massive shock' given his healthy lifestyle. 'I'm 53, never smoked, do 15,000 steps a day and eat averagely healthily,' he wrote. 'And yet, I couldn't deny the paralysing pain across my chest, so I phoned 999.' Within hours, doctors fitted two stents into a blocked artery at the front of his heart.
Beale spent eight nights in hospital and praised the NHS care as 'phenomenal'. He said: 'The care I received was exceptional and I am beyond thankful to every doctor, nurse, consultant, specialist and hospital worker who looked after me for eight nights. They saved my life. They are true heroes.'
Now recovering at home, Beale is adjusting to a new diet and medication regimen. 'I'm now recovering at home, getting used to a cocktail of medication and a whole new diet, taking each day as it comes,' he explained. 'I've still got a way to go, but I AM on the mend and slowly making progress, hoping to be back at work soon.'
Beale, one of Heart's longest-serving presenters, joined Heart London in 2002 and has also hosted shows on Invicta FM, Kiss, Virgin Radio, LBC and BBC Radio 5 Live. He is also a successful voiceover artist.
