Former newsreader Polly Adams has revealed how her ‘life unraveled’ after she lost her voice to a mystery illness and was forced to quit hosting BBC South East Today in 2017.
The broadcaster, who fronted the flagship regional show for over a decade with co-host Rob Smith, recalled first becoming unwell after picking up a cough on a flight home from Abu Dabi.
Despite numerous rounds of antibiotics her symptoms only worsened as her voice become more strained and she was left unable to pronounce certain sounds, which viewers were quick to spot.
In a new article Polly wrote: ‘I’d developed a tightness in my throat that made it hard to get my voice out at full volume. It was a vicious cycle of anxiety about my throat tightening while presenting, then physically being unable to push words out’.
She then recalled the ‘traumatic’ moment which saw her unable to speak at all during one broadcast: ‘I felt like I was staring into the abyss, I’d built my whole identity on being excellent at my job, I wasn’t just saying goodbye to my career, this the into question who I was’.
Polly was forced to quit her career onscreen to work behind the scenes and after 18-months of hospital tests she was finally diagnosed with Spasmodic dysphonia (SD).
Former newsreader Polly Adams has revealed how her ‘life unraveled’ losing her voice to a mystery illness forced her to quit hosting BBC South East Today in 2017 (pictured 2015)
The broadcaster, who fronted the regional show for over a decade with co-host Rob Smith, recalled first becoming unwell after picking up a cough on a flight home from Abu Dabi.
Spasmodic dysphonia, also known as laryngeal dystonia, is a neurological disorder that causes involuntary muscle spasms in the voice box (larynx), leading to a strained, tight, or strangled voice with voice breaks.
Writing in The Telegraph she said: ‘Rather than feel relief at getting answers, I was devastated. I had been clinging to the idea that was a problem I could fix, This diagnosis felt like a life sentence as there was no cure’.
Polly tried numerous treatments to help with her symptoms from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and acupuncture to Botox injected into her vocal cords.
But she said the valuable was sessions with a career coach who has helped her transfer her skills to be work elsewhere after being forced to turn her back on live TV.
Polly now works as a radio producer, devising and commissioning children’s audio shows which she described as ‘hugely fulfilling’.
Elsewhere at the BBC bosses have assigned watchdogs to monitor Naga Munchetty after a formal investigation was launched into her behaviour, according to reports.
The BBC Breakfast host, 50, who is paid between £355,000 and £359,999 a year, is said to be allowed to stay on at the broadcaster, but that she will only work with certain producers while the probe takes place.
Naga, who has fronted daytime TV for 15 years and has a Radio 5 show, was initially placed under review in August after it was claimed several colleagues had logged concerns over her ‘hard’ and ‘bullying’ behaviour.
But last week it was reported that bosses had decided to escalate the situation and launch a formal investigation after further complaints were made.
Despite numerous rounds of antibiotics her symptoms only worsened as her voice become more strained and she was left unable to pronounce certain sounds, which viewers spotted
Polly was forced to quit her career onscreen to work behind the scenes and after 18-months of hospital tests she was finally diagnosed with Spasmodic dysphonia (SD).
A source told The Sun: ‘Naga has not been taken off air but now has certain members of production monitoring her and her interactions.
‘She’s only allowed to speak to specific people too. It’s far from ideal as a way of working and everyone hopes it comes to a head someway or another soon.’
Daily Mail has contacted Naga’s representatives for comment. A BBC spokesperson said: ‘We do not comment on individual HR matters.’
Naga faces an uncertain future on the broadcaster, with reports Deborah Turness’ resignation could leave her ‘vulnerable’.
CEO of BBC News, Deborah quit earlier last week over the botched editing of one of the President’s speeches by Panorama.
An insider told the publication: ‘The Naga situation has been an albatross around Breakfast’s neck since June when the endemic bullying at Media City was first exposed by The Sun.
‘Whilst others have been cleared, the review on Naga has done the opposite – with further complaints against her.
‘They had no choice but to take things from the slightly softer ‘under review’ to formal investigation. Of course, her detractors are gossiping that the timing with Deborah’s departure isn’t exactly a coincidence.’
The BBC has repeatedly declined to comment on the allegations, saying: ‘We do not comment on individual HR matters.’
