Emma Willis has revealed she collapsed while filming her medical documentary and was taken to A&E. The Strictly Come Dancing co-host described the incident during an appearance on Tom Allen's Pottering podcast, explaining how her lifelong interest in medicine led her to take a hands-on role behind the scenes of her 2018 documentary, Emma Willis: Delivering Babies.
Behind the scenes in a maternity ward
Emma's connection to the NHS began through her mother, who worked in a maternity ward before becoming a theatre assistant. Having grown up around hospitals, Emma said she had always imagined she could one day work in a medical environment herself.
While filming the first series of the documentary, Emma went beyond simply appearing in front of the cameras and would continue working full shifts alongside hospital staff after filming had finished.
The collapse in theatre
She was eventually asked to observe a post-birth repair being carried out in theatre, something she was particularly keen to see as she had never witnessed the procedure before. However, while watching the operation, Emma began to feel increasingly unwell.
She eventually warned a member of staff: "Oh, I'm not sure. I don't feel okay." The staff immediately realised Emma was about to faint and helped her towards an exit at the back of the theatre. But she collapsed shortly after making it outside.
Emma was accompanied by Sarah, who witnessed her lose consciousness and carefully lowered her to the ground. When she eventually regained consciousness, however, she was completely confused about where she was. The presenter recalled seeing a pair of Crocs when she opened her eyes and initially struggled to understand why she was lying on the floor.
Waking up confused
She said: "I woke up and, funnily enough, the first thing I saw was a pair of Crocs. I remember it as clear as day when I was out. I was at school picking my daughter up. When I came around, I was like, 'What am I doing here? I thought I was at school picking my daughter up. Why am I in a hospital? Why am I looking at Crocs? Why am I on the floor?' And then it all kind of came back".
It was then that Emma realised she had fainted while at the hospital and was given further medical checks, including blood tests and an ECG. She was eventually discharged and sent home with a runner accompanying her in case she lost consciousness again.
Embarrassment and laughter
Looking back on the incident, Emma admitted she had been deeply embarrassed by what had happened. "I was mortified," she told Tom. And despite the seriousness of the situation, she revealed the hospital staff did not exactly spare her feelings afterwards. "But I tell you what, they all bloody laughed at me," she added.
Emma's experience working in a hospital came years before she stepped into another major television role. She is now one of the new presenters of Strictly Come Dancing, joining comedian Josh Widdicombe and former professional dancer Johannes Radebe for the 2026 series. The trio replaced long-standing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman when the BBC show returned in September.
Emma has already built an extensive television career, having previously presented programmes including The Voice and Big Brother, with her move to Strictly marking another major chapter in her broadcasting career.
