Sarah Beeny: “Having cancer hasn’t changed me”

by

What’s the view from your sofa?

We have two sofas in front of the TV where everyone can sit – it’s just our family of six! I tried to cover up some stains on the sofa covers with plum dye, but it didn’t turn out perfectly even. I don’t mind, though – I actually prefer a home that looks cozy and well-used.

What have you been watching?

I really love stand-up comedy. Some of my favorites include Russell Howard, Dara Ó Briain, and Sarah Millican, but Michael McIntyre is probably my absolute favorite – he’s incredibly funny without being mean. I especially loved a joke he made comparing leaving dirty dishes on the dishwasher to dropping your kids off halfway to school and telling them to finish the journey on their own.

From your early work on Channel 4’s Property Ladder back in 2001 to your current show, Help! I Bought It at Auction, do you think you’ve played a role in the popularity of property shows on television?

I believe Channel 4 was acting in the public’s best interest. It might sound harsh, but the show aired during a time of TV budget cuts. Rather than hiring dedicated researchers, they decided to use people already working in the field who already possessed the necessary knowledge. From the very beginning, they had a certain approach, and I consistently disagreed with it.

Have property shows changed?

As a total film and TV buff, it feels like there’s just so much content now that everyone’s competing for attention. Honestly, I think TV is making a mistake by trying so hard to copy TikTok. Instead of letting TikTok handle the quick, flashy stuff and focusing on really informative, enriching programs, it feels like everyone’s just trying to be sensational. I wonder if a show like one of David Attenborough’s nature documentaries would even get made today? Would executives think it’s too slow or ‘boring’? But he’s a legend, isn’t he? His work is timeless.

You received a breast cancer diagnosis in 2022. What motivated you to openly document your experience in the 2023 documentary, Sarah Beeny vs Cancer?

Hearing a cancer diagnosis felt like facing my own mortality – it immediately made me think about death. But I soon realized that medical treatments had improved dramatically, and survival was much more likely. I wondered if others felt the same initial shock. I also wanted my sons to feel comfortable talking openly about it, so I decided to share my experience publicly. Knowing I was going to lose my hair, I felt it was important to control the narrative and tell my story my way. I’m incredibly proud of that decision, because I received thousands of letters from people saying it helped them and their families cope.

Want to see this content?

This page uses a security feature called Google reCAPTCHA. Before it loads, we need your permission because it might use cookies and similar technologies. If you want to see the content, please select ‘Accept and continue’ to enable reCAPTCHA.

Has your experience of cancer changed your definition of success in any way?

I don’t want to celebrate cancer in any way. Everyone is different, but it hasn’t shaped who I am. My life has been defined by my four children, my husband, my career in television, the people I’ve met, and building successful businesses – not by cancer.

Did you ever worry about showing your family on screen?

When the boys were young, I was very protective of them. But when we started our new life in the country, we asked each of them individually if they wanted to participate. They were all mature enough to decide for themselves. I don’t believe it’s accurate to assume that someone under 18 can’t think for themselves and suddenly gains all the answers on their eighteenth birthday.

They say home is where the heart is. But where do you feel most at home?

It sounds cliché, but I feel most at home when I’m with my family. I’m really fortunate to have a close-knit group, including my kids, husband, and a large extended family. Right now, I’m traveling with my husband and sons’ band, The Entitled Sons, and I happily embrace my role as their biggest fan!

Authors

Vicki Power

Read More

2026-05-04 19:49