![\"(Picture:](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SEI_290358681-cca9.jpg\")
\n\t\tTV presenter Louise Minchin was forced to end the ambitious challenge early (Picture: Instagram)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tTV presenter Louise Minchin was forced to end the ambitious challenge early (Picture: Instagram)<\/p>\n
Former BBC Breakfast<\/a> presenter Louise Minchin<\/a> has shared how she has been rushed to hospital after being stricken with frostbite.<\/p>\n Louise, 57, had been attempting to raise money for The Duke of Edinburgh\u2019s Award by participating in the Inuvik Weekend Warrior Fat Bike Challenge.<\/p>\n This would have involved her cycling 300 miles in three days in the Artic Circle in Canada.<\/p>\n Louise \u2013 who was lead presenter on BBC Breakfast from 2012 to 2021<\/a> \u2013 was joined by professional sportswoman Mimi Anderson \u2013 an endurance athlete and World Record holder.<\/p>\n However, their attempt was cut short when they both developed frostbite and were forced to abandon the race after 140 kilometres.<\/p>\n The pair shared their news from the hospital room, where Louise showed off two sets of bandaged fingers.<\/p>\n \t\t In the video \u2013 shared to their social media accounts \u2013 Louise said: \u2018So turns out that temperatures of minus 40 for 14 hours mean that you get frostbite.\u2019<\/p>\n After explaining that she and Mimi had been given \u2018amazing treatment at a local hospital, she held her bandaged hands up to the camera and joked, \u2018Fingers crossed we\u2019re going to be fine.\u2019<\/p>\n Detailing how she\u2019d been frostbitten in \u2018every toe\u2019 and \u2018a thumb,\u2019 she said that Mimi had it in \u2018three fingers\u2019 too.<\/p>\n In the background, a smiling Mimi also showed off her own bandaged appendages.<\/p>\n \u2018If you\u2019re going to get frostbite, the people here are incredible,\u2019 Louise said of the hospital staff.<\/p>\n She went on to thank fans for their concern and explained that they\u2019d be spending the next five days together in the hospital.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, in the caption, Louise went into more detail about what had happened. <\/p>\n \u2018We did around 140k in temperatures as low as -40 degrees,\u2019 she explained.<\/p>\n \u2018When we got to this point, both of us knew we were very dangerously cold. The combination of the temperature and wind meant that, despite having prepared as much as we could have it was a huge risk to go on.<\/p>\n \u2018Turns out we were right to stop. We both have frostbite and are being incredibly well looked after. At the moment, we remain in good spirits.\u2019<\/p>\n Prior to their video update, Louise shared a snap of her and Mimi huddled up on the hospital floor in sleeping bags.<\/p>\n Revealing that they were \u2018out of the race,\u2019 she described their experience as \u2018brutal.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t In the comments below their video, well-wishers shared messages of support for the pair.<\/p>\n This included former Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton<\/a>, who said of their 140 kilometres: \u2018What an achievement so far.\u2019<\/p>\n Meanwhile, fellow BBC Breakfast alumnus Susanna Reid<\/a> sent \u2018big hugs,\u2019 as Sally Nugent<\/a> urged her to \u2018take care.\u2019<\/p>\n Penned author Adele Parks<\/a>: \u2018What a huge achievement doing 140k! So proud of you both. Especially proud for recognising when you need to get in doors!! So sorry to hear about the frostbite!!!\u2019<\/p>\n She signed off by telling the women to \u2018take excellent care of each other and please please please get fully better soon.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t In 2024, Louise took on another massive challenge<\/a> \u2013 participating in Gladiators<\/a> at 55 years old.<\/p>\n She joined Joel Dommett<\/a>, Rob Beckett<\/a> and Ellie Taylor as part of the BBC show\u2019s celebrity edition, describing the experience as \u2018absolutely hilarious, terrifying, and utterly brilliant.\u2019<\/p>\n She told Metro at the time: \u2018I was 55 when I did it, I was really worried, I\u2019ve got really bad knees and all sorts of things. I was kind of worried going into it that I would fall over or twist my knee, hurt my ankle, so yeah, I was really worried.\u2019<\/p>\n She went on to share how, although they\u2019d had advance warning it\u2019d be tough, there wasn\u2019t nearly as much preparation time as regular contestants get.<\/p>\n Louise continued: \u2018So yeah, I was absolutely terrified that I was going to hurt myself. The next day, I was in agony, because you are properly put through your paces in lots of different ways, bashed around and falling over, so the next day I could hardly walk, but it was all worth it.\u2019<\/p>\n Got a story?<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk<\/a> entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff<\/a> page \u2013 we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow![\"Editorial](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SEI_176700822-e196.jpg\")
\n\t\tLouise appeared on BBC Breakfast for 20 years (Picture: ITV\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n![\"For](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SEI_122349255-2149.jpg\")
\n\t\tLouise stepped down from her post in 2021 (Picture: PA)<\/p>\n![\"Gladiators](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SEI_231230187-a69d.jpg\")
\n\t\tLouise was joined by Rob Beckett, Ellie Taylor and Joel Dommett for the celebrity specialof Gladiators (Picture: BBC \/ Graeme Hunter \/ \u00a9 Hungry Bear Media Ltd)<\/p>\n
\nMORE: BBC viewers spot presenter\u2019s \u2018notes\u2019 that were clearly used to make a paper airplane<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMORE: BBC Breakfast\u2019s Naga Munchetty \u2018makes targeted dig at co-star Sally Nugent\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n