Former BBC Breakfast presenter Sian Williams has disclosed that she fainted live on air while covering the opening of Princess Diana's memorial in 2004. The 61-year-old, who now works as a counselling psychologist, recalled the incident in a recent interview with The Mirror.
Williams said she was sitting on a high stool and lost consciousness, possibly due to the heat, prolonged sitting, or lack of food. 'My feed went down so I couldn't see the pictures and I was meant to be commentating on them,' she explained. 'I just fell off the bar stool. My body said 'Nope this is too much'.' A producer gave her biscuits before filming resumed.
The broadcaster, who has been open about her anxiety struggles, left her on-screen career in 2021 after 30 years. She now holds a doctorate in counselling psychology and runs her own practice. Her latest book, 'The Power of Anxiety: How to Ride the Worry Wave', is due for release next month.
Williams told The Times that her experience with extreme anxiety motivated her career change. 'It can be hard to reveal yourself to other people when you think you've failed in case that's the end for you,' she said. In 2016, she underwent a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer, a battle she has also spoken about publicly.
