TV personality Anthea Turner has candidly shared her struggles with a “nightmare” injury that has left her in pain and forced her to wear a sling for the next three weeks. The 65-year-old former Blue Peter presenter recently underwent surgery after suffering a torn rotator cuff, which she initially mistook for bursitis.
The injury, which occurred at the end of December 2025, was caused by a slip while running downstairs in her pajamas. Turner shared the details of her accident in a lighthearted but honest Instagram post, where she revealed how the injury had impacted her daily life. “Dec 30th, slipped on the back of my PJ’s running down stairs WOOPS!!” she wrote. “I went to Paris for NY, then Tanzania, Kilimanjaro, came home, thought this Bursitis is hanging round? My physio sent me to a specialist, had MRI and the worst news faced me, torn rotator cuff, not a thread attached.”
Turner, who has always been open about her health struggles, expressed her frustration, humorously adding that her first thought was how the injury would affect her ability to blow-dry her hair. “What was my first thought after swearing? How am I going to blow-dry my hair,” she wrote. “I have this sling on for 3 weeks then gently will be working my t*’s off to rehab and strengthen my arm to hold a hairdryer.”
While she is clearly in pain, Turner remains upbeat, referring to her prescribed painkillers as her “party bag of killer drugs.” She shared a picture of herself with the sling and the medication, joking that her current state was making simple tasks, like getting dressed, a real challenge. “Now finding out how difficult it is using just my left hand, socks are a nightmare and can’t even tie my hair up because you really need 2 hands for that one,” she shared with her followers.
Despite the tough situation, Turner acknowledged the support she’s received, especially from her fiancé, businessman Mark Armstrong. She expressed gratitude for his help, though humorously noted that her friends were feeling more sorry for him than for her. “Mark is doing a great job but friends are feeling far more sorry for him than me, I’m a terrible patient,” she said.
This injury and the recovery process come after a year of change for Turner, who is also in the midst of planning a wedding with Armstrong. The couple got engaged in 2019 after a whirlwind romance, and Turner has been candid about her hopes for a smaller, more intimate ceremony after her previous, high-profile marriages. “I’ve had a second chance at love,” Turner said in a recent interview. “I’ve learned so much from my past relationships, and now, I just want to keep things simple and special.”
Turner’s personal life has been in the spotlight for years, particularly following her two previous marriages. She was previously married to radio DJ Peter Powell and property developer Grant Bovey, the latter of whom she divorced after discovering his infidelity. Despite the challenges, Turner remains positive about her future and the family life she shares with Armstrong.
She has also been vocal about the emotional pain she experienced during her IVF journey, particularly after suffering a miscarriage. Turner, who is a stepmother to Armstrong’s children, has expressed a desire to become a mother herself, with surrogacy being one of the options she’s considered in the past.
Throughout her career, Turner has been known for her bubbly personality and strong work ethic, particularly during her time on Blue Peter and later as a TV presenter. She became a household name and continues to be a prominent figure in the UK entertainment industry. Despite the recent health setbacks, Turner’s focus remains on recovery, family, and embracing life’s next chapter.
As she navigates her recovery, Turner’s fans have rallied around her with messages of support, wishing her a speedy and successful rehabilitation. With her typical sense of humor and resilience, it’s clear that she’ll tackle this challenge with the same determination she’s shown throughout her career.
