Countryfile Star Sammi Kinghorn Announces First Pregnancy
BBC Countryfile presenter and world champion wheelchair racer Sammi Kinghorn has revealed she is expecting her first child with her partner Callum Aitken. The 29-year-old athlete shared the joyful announcement in a heartfelt video posted to her Instagram account, where she displayed a scan photo and a pair of knitted baby boots.
Instagram Announcement and Personal Milestone
In the emotional video, Sammi and Callum can be seen wearing caps labelled 'mum' and 'dad', embracing each other as they celebrate the upcoming arrival. Sammi captioned the post: "Half of me and half of you! We can't wait to meet you in July." This pregnancy marks a significant personal milestone for Sammi, who launched her television career with Countryfile in 2023 and has since become a prominent figure in British sports broadcasting.
Tragic Accident and Paralysis in 2010
Sammi's journey to this point has been shaped by a life-altering accident in 2010 that left her paralysed from the waist down. Growing up on a farm in Scotland with her parents Neil and Elaine, Sammi was playing with a friend when she noticed her father operating a forklift. In a moment she has since described as inexplicable, she climbed onto the machinery, leading to a devastating incident.
Neil, unaware of Sammi's presence, lowered the forklift bucket onto her, crushing her into a compact position. Sammi recalled feeling pressure on her neck and hearing her back pop, initially thinking her father was joking. She described the terrifying experience: "My heart was thumping in my chest. Everything felt really slow and all I could hear was my breath. I remember closing my eyes and thinking 'you're going to die, and your Dad's going to think it's his fault'."
Recovery and Paralympic Success
After the accident, Sammi was taken to hospital where she confessed the truth to her parents, having initially lied about slipping in the snow. She lost all feeling in her legs, with the last sensations being pulsing and twitching. Her father Neil expressed profound guilt, stating the incident "blew [the family's] life to pieces".
Despite the trauma, Sammi found resilience through sport. She told The Scotsman in 2014: "I thought I'd be in a bed forever. So, to then get into a wheelchair was amazing. I know it sounds strange, but I was so happy. Then to find I could actually compete in sport in my wheelchair has just been incredible. Sport has helped me hugely, helped me to really accept it."
Her athletic prowess led to representing Team GB at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, where she won a gold medal in the T53 Women's 100m and silver medals in the 400m, 800m, and 1,500m events.
Future Prospects and Family Joy
Now, as Sammi prepares for motherhood, her story continues to inspire many. The pregnancy announcement has been met with widespread support from fans and colleagues, highlighting her remarkable journey from tragedy to triumph. With her baby due in July, Sammi and Callum are eagerly anticipating this new chapter, adding to her legacy as a celebrated athlete and television presenter.
