DIY SOS star Mark Millar has given fans a health update and revealed his huge scar after having a triple heart bypass.
The TV builder, 55, had a heart attack while cold water swimming off of Clevedon’s coast in north Somerset late last year and underwent open heart surgery at Bristol Royal Infirmary.
In a series of videos on Instagram, the carpenter has now revealed he is “str. in a series of videos on Instagram.
“I've been a bit quiet about my post op recovery but I'm doing well and healing well but I've struggled a bit mentally because I feel vulnerable,” Millar said.
“I've been open from here to the top of my stomach so I get a bit worried about someone or me knocking it. I'm just about to have my first swim and I am very excited.”
The BBC star also shared a video post-swim, showing off the scar that ran from the top of his chest to the middle of his stomach.
“That was amazing, that was the first time I've been in the water since November, I'm seven weeks post op, I swam 10 lengths and I'm so high and this is amazing I am alive,” he said, grinning at the camera.
A day later, the TV star admitted he had “jumped the gun” by returning to swimming too early and warned others not to do the same.
“Yesterday I put a post up about me going for a swim seven weeks post op and I shouldn't have done it,” he said.
“I was slightly ticked off early from someone in the cardio unit but I should have waited until 12 weeks until the sternum is completely healed so I don't damage or contract any infection.
“So please don't swim before 12 weeks, I'm sorry for doing that. I'm not sure what I'm going to do now for the next few weeks exercise, I guess more walking.”
Millar was open water swimming when he had a heart attack and previously said it felt “like a lifetime” for him to swim back to the shore with help from his friends.
“It felt like someone was tightening a belt around me. If it was not for my friends and my £15 float, I am not sure if I would be here today,” he told the BBC.
'I was having red flags, everything was wrong. The water felt like treacle, I felt absolutely dreadful.”
Millar worked as a project manager on DIY SOS from 2015 until 2018, working alongside Nick Knowles to transform difficult spaces in days.
He left the show to present Channel 5's Dream Kitchens and Bathrooms with Mark Millar and also hosts BBC One's How Safe Is Your House.
