I was wrongly told I only had years to live reveals Countryfile’s Charlotte Smith as she opens up about lung condition
COUNTRYFILE star Charlotte Smith was wrongly told she had just years to live after being misdiagnosed with a potentially fatal lung condition.
Having been on-screens on the BBC‘s Sunday night staple for years, many fans may be surprised to learn of her secret struggle behind the scenes.
The 60-year-old spent eight years worrying after being told she had just 10 years to live following a misdiagnosis of Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) which is a cystic lung disease that primarily affects women.
However, it was only when she came to have surgery on her collapsed lung eight years later that she came to learn she did not have the fatal condition at all.
Charlotte previosuly opened up to The Sun about how she was left floored by the news she was thought to be suffering from the shock condition and the eventual realisation that she was in fact not.
She said: “When I heard I probably had this very rare, potentially serious disease with an unpronounceable name I went into shock.
“The doctor was honest and told me all the stats, including it being 10 years, on average, between diagnosis and needing a lung transplant or even death.”
Recalling the 2018 surgery which uncovered that she did not in fact have the condition, Charlotte said: “They had to do an operation this time and they discovered that I am very lucky. I do not have that disease.
“I was misdiagnosed. Which actually I’m very relaxed about because to be told you don’t have something is much better than being told you do.
“They don’t really know what’s wrong with my lungs, they have holes in them and they don’t really know why. So I have about 80% lung capacity a fit person would.”
As well as dealing with the misdiagnosis, Charlotte has been faced with a series of other health battles – both herself and her family members.
She underwent a knee replacement which she admitted had caused her some issues when it came to going up and down stiles during Countryfile filming.
“Since I had my knee done I don’t like stiles,” Charlotte said. “I find them very difficult because my bionic knee, my replacement knee, doesn’t bend quite… so that’s very inelegant.
“Another presenter you might see doing the stiles but for me it’s too embarrassing so we cut that out.”
Elsewhere, she recently opened up about her grandmother’s battle with dementia, having filmed a documentary-piece on how those living in the countryside deal with the illness.
She told the BBC: “My grandmother had dementia. Dementia is horrific for sufferers and their families wherever they live but if you’re somewhere rural it’s a lot harder to get support.
What is Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM)?
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis, also known as LAM, is a very rare lung disease that most commonly affects young women.
The LAM Foundation summarises it as “an abnormal growth of smooth muscle cells, especially in the lungs, lymphatic system and kidneys.”
It goes on to say: “Unregulated growth of these cells can lead to loss of lung function, accumulation of lymph rich-fluid in the chest and abdomen and growth of tumors in the kidneys.”
The Foundation explains how the condition can “cause blockage of the small airways leading to lung tissue damage that compromises airflow and oxygen transfer to the blood.”
“Dementia can be very difficult if the sufferer is a farmer because farms are full of hazards.
“But it was really heartening to see how many lovely people in rural communities make it their business to come out and help people. So the filming was sad and heart-warming in equal measure.”
Countryfile presenting team
Agricultural programme Countryfile launched on the BBC in 1988. In its long history, the show's seen several presenters come and go. Let's take a look at the current line-up.
- John Craven: The longest-serving presenter, having debuted in 1989, John is also known for his work on Newsround from 1972–1989.
- Adam Henson: Adam, who comes from a farming family, joined the presenting team in 2001. His other media work includes BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today and BBC Two’s Lambing Live.
- Matt Baker: Having joined the line-up in 2009, Matt also presented The One Show alongside Alex Jones from 2011 to 2020. Before that, he hosted Blue Peter from 1999 to 2006.
- Tom Heap: Tom joined Countryfile in 2009 and in April 2012, he took over the investigative reporter role from John Craven. He has also presented The Climate Show on Sky News.
- Helen Skelton: Another former Blue Peter presenter, she hosted the beloved children’s programme from 2008 to 2013. Helen joined the Countryfile team in 2014 and has competed in Strictly Come Dancing.
- Anita Rani: Anita was added to Countryfile in 2015 and has presented other programmes for the Beeb including The Refugee Camp: Our Desert Home, among others.
- Sean Fletcher: Newsreader and presenter Sean joined Countryfile in 2015. He is also known for Good Morning Britain, Songs of Praise and BBC Breakfast.