BBC Springwatch presenter Iolo Williams recounts terrifying mile-and-a-half walk to safety after suffering sudden heart attack while walking alone in the countryside

Springwatch presenter Iolo Williams has told of the terrifying mile-and-a-half walk he had back to his car and phone after he suffered a heart attack while out in the middle of the countryside.

The broadcaster, 61, fell ill and suffered pains in his chest while out alone and with no one nearby to help.

Iolo said he made his way back to his vehicle, taking breaks when the pain became too much, before phoning the emergency services once he arrived.

He told the Mirror: ‘It came like a bolt out of the blue. I knew what it was – intense pain under my sternum. It was a heart attack. And I thought well, I can’t go down here!

‘So I walked on, crouched a little bit every now and again when the pain got a little bit worse.

Springwatch presenter Iolo Williams has told of the terrifying mile-and-a-half walk he had back to his car and phone after he suffered a heart attack

The broadcaster, 61, fell ill and suffered pains in his chest while out alone and with no one nearby to help

‘Got to my car, phoned for an ambulance and they said it would be 90-odd minutes.

‘So my wife, Ceri, came down, drove me to the hospital and from then on I was in the hands of the NHS. They were superb.’

It was reported in October that Iolo pulled out of his nature television programme filming duties he after he had an ‘unexpected’ heart attack.

He suffered major complications following his surgery to fit a stent in an artery.

The treatment involves inserting a short, wire mesh tube that acts like a scaffold, called a stent, to widen and open up narrowed or blocked arteries supplying the heart muscle.

The procedure comes with risks such as damage to arteries, allergic reactions and excessive bleeding, according to the NHS.

The TV presenter is set to make a return and will be back on air for a new wildlife series, Winterwatch.

He said in October: ‘I had a heart attack and it was very unexpected. I keep fit, I’ve been playing rugby ever since I was 45, I run two to three times a week.’ 

Iolo said he made his way back to his vehicle, taking breaks when the pain became too much, before phoning the emergency services once he arrived (L-R: Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan, Iolo Williams pictured for Winterwatch 2022)

He had a stent inserted in April but complications with a clot forced him to pull out of the nature-lover favourite show. 

At the time he said: ‘My demise has been greatly exaggerated; thanks to brilliant friends, wonderful family & the excellent NHS.’ 

He has has become one of television’s most recognisable faces after establishing himself as a co-presenter for numerous nature programmes. 

He became became a regular presenter on Winterwatch, Springwatch and Autumnwatch in 2019. Mr Williams is due to return to Winterwatch which is expected to air in January. 

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