BBC Escape to the Country star's tragic cause of death revealed after going on show in search for ‘dream new life'
TRAGIC LOSS BBC Escape to the Country star's tragic cause of death revealed after going on show in search for 'dream new life'
A WOMAN who featured on the BBC show Escape to the Country tragically died while undergoing a procedure in hospital, an inquest has heard.
Emma Izzard, 53, was rushed to hospital on November 19 last year - after she had started to vomit blood - and died the following day after going into cardiac arrest while undergoing a gastroscopy.
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Emma Izzard, 53, suffered from alcoholism before her tragic death last year, an inquest has heard
Credit: Facebook
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She appeared on a 2021 episode of Escape to the Country with her partner at the time Kym Lofthouse
Credit: BBC
The star had previously appeared on an episode of the iconic BBC show in 2021 with her partner at the time Kym Lofthouse in the hopes of the pair finding a "new perfect life".
An inquest into her death - held at Norfolk Coroner's Court this week - also heard how the 53-year-old died after struggling with alcoholism.
Emma and Kym lived together in Luton, Bedfordshire, and were hoping to start a dream life in Norfolk when they signed up to the show.
Aided by Escape to the Country host Ginny Buckley, the pair set out to try to find their perfect home, having picked Norfolk for its "clean air" and "slower place of life".
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Eventually, they moved to North Walsham in the county and despite later parting ways, the pair remained friends.
At the inquest into Emma's death this week, Kym told the hearing how her former partner's alcohol consumption rose in July 2022 after her mum fell ill.
The Eastern Daily Press reported that Kim also told the inquest Emma was fearful she was going to lose her mum.
She added: "After six months of secret drinking, she wanted to stop but couldn't get the help required quickly enough and began drinking again."
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Despite undergoing several stints in rehab, relapses caused her drinking "to become heavier".
Kym continued: "Emma did not want to drink but it had taken a strong hold of her."
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Emma was rushed to Norfolk and Norwich Hospital by ambulance on November 19, 2024, after she had begun to vomit blood.
Tragically, Emma died after going into cardiac arrest while undergoing a gastroscopy in the operating theatre.
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At the inquest, her cause of death was given as an oesophageal and variceal bleed, with alcohol-related liver disease.
The hearing was also told that Emma's dad - who died when she was just a teenager - had struggled with alcoholism himself.
Coroner Johanna Thompson concluded that Emma's death was alcohol related.
She said the 53-year-old had a "history of excess alcohol consumption", adding she had been suffering from alcohol-related liver disease.
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The coroner said Emma presented with symptoms of acute alcohol withdrawl at the hospital, stating that the treatment undertaken sadly could not have saved her life.
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Metro
17 minutes ago
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He added: 'Over the past few months, I have been considering my life and the shape of it now and in the future… Personally, I have loved every minute working on MasterChef, but it's time to pass the cutlery to someone else. For whoever takes over, love it as I have.' John Torode had to go. In fact, the show has been in need of a total overhaul for a long time – especially to stop it going the way of This Morning. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The latter never fully recovered from the Phillip Schofield scandal, with Holly Willoughby becoming a constant reminder of its most shocking controversy. Even before the racism allegations came to light, Torode was too closely linked to Wallace, and his continued presence would have made it harder for MasterChef to move on. 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Daily Record
17 minutes ago
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Loose Women star says John Torode has been treated 'worse than a serial killer' after BBC axe
Many celebrities have shown their support towards John Torode after he was axed from his role in BBC's MasterChef following claims of racist language used on set. Former MasterChef host John Torode was left outraged after discovering he had been axed from the culinary competition, having stumbled upon the announcement online. The 59-year-old presenter was reportedly heartbroken when the BBC and production company Banijay confirmed he was sacked from the show following allegations of racist language. The news of John's racist remarks and dismissal comes shortly after the corporation cut ties with his co-presenter Gregg Wallace, after 45 complaints were made for misconduct claims, the Mirror reports. The BBC released an official statement, saying: "John Torode has identified himself as having an upheld allegation of using racist language. This allegation, which involves an extremely offensive racist term being used in the workplace, was investigated and substantiated by the independent investigation led by law firm Lewis Silkin." "John Torode denies the allegation. We will not tolerate racist language of any kind and, as we have already said, we told Banijay UK, the makers of MasterChef, that action must be taken. John Torode's contract will not be renewed," the statement continued. It is believed that John's agent was told of the news only 11 minutes before news sites published the announcement and the public knew. In the wake of the controversy, certain celebrities are rallying behind John, with Loose Women star Jane Moore expressing her disbelief towards the whole ordeal in her most recent column. The TV personality wrote in her column with The Sun, stating: "What the hell? Even serial killers get to see the evidence against them and put up a defence in court." "But in the world of corporate HR, it seems that a Caesar-like thumbs up or down is delivered on someone's reputation and career without the chance to mount a robust challenge," she continued. Taking to Instagram John showed his disbelief at the news, declaring: "Although I haven't heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay - I am seeing and reading that I've been 'sacked' from MasterChef and I repeat that I have no recollection of what I'm accused of." "The enquiry could not even state the date or year of when I am meant to have said something wrong. I'd hoped that I'd have some say in my exit from a show I've worked on since its relaunch in 2005, but events in the last few days seem to have prevented that..." "I have loved every minute working on MasterChef, but it's time to pass the cutlery to someone else." He concluded the statement saying: "Thank you for the many years of MasterChef. JOHN TORODE." As well as Jane, McFly's Danny Jones and ITV personality Amanda Holden have shown their support towards the former MasterChef host by liking his Instagram post.
