17 January 2024 , 19:00
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Michaela Strachan has found happiness living an idyllic outdoorsy lifestyle in Cape Town with her family - but she has been dealt with some difficult blows along the way.
The 56-year-old, who returns to screens tonight alongside Chris Packham and Iolo Williams for BBC's Winterwatch, is now a staple figure on wildlife shows, having fronted Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Countryfile. But before finding fame amongst nature, she was a friendly face on children's TV.
As a child, Michaela went to stage school and found her big break with Saturday morning TV, including Wide Awake Club. To make ends meet when she was starting out, she worked for Avon selling beauty products door-to-door and also worked as a Kissogram.
Michaela Strachan has made a name for herself as a wildlife presenter (PA)Working for a telegram agency, the star would deliver messages sealed with a kiss, sometimes in fancy dress, as a fun surprise for a special occasion. Thankfully, her telly career took off and she has since become a much-loved figure on the BBC.
Surrey-born Michaela has had to face a few obstacles along the way to finding her happy ending though, including fears that she would never become a mother, as well as a terrifying cancer battle that's made her appreciate life all the more.
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Following a routine mammogram in 2014, Michaela was diagnosed with breast cancer and was advised that a double mastectomy would offer her the best chance of survival. Speaking out about the moment she learned the devastating news with You that same year, the presenter said: "The tears started to roll as my doctor tried to tell me what would happen next but I only took in every fifth word or so. The one word that registered was cancer."
Thankfully, Michaela is now cancer-free and believes the health challenges she'd faced have given her a new appreciation for life. Opening up to Woman & Home magazine in 2022, Michaela explained: "Going through breast cancer also strengthened me. It has given me more resilience and made me appreciate my life more because I realise that something could have ended it early and that's a shock." She added: "Often, I forget I've had breast cancer. I had a double mastectomy and have slightly funny-looking boobs but, other than that, that's it. I was incredibly lucky."