Britain’s Got Talent winner urges farming community to take personal health seriously

A west Wales farmer who went from being told he might not survive a heart attack to standing on stage as a Britain’s Got Talent winner is now sharing his story to encourage others to take their heart health seriously.

Hugh Thomas, 75, shared his experience on how cardiovascular disease has impacted his life, but also shared a message of hope to those undergoing major heart surgery that there is plenty of life to be lived. Hugh shared his experience on one of British Heart Foundation’s red benches at his farm in Moylegrove, on the Ceredigion-Pembrokeshire border.

Hugh’s journey began with what seemed like mild symptoms.

“I was getting short of breath,” Hugh said. “We all assumed it was because I’d had Covid. I was thinking that it was just me getting old. Being a farmer I thought no more of it, but my wife persuaded me to go and see a doctor.”

After being referred for tests and an angiogram, Hugh was given unexpected news when doctors were recommending a triple heart bypass surgery. “That hit me like a brick wall, because I didn’t feel ill,” he recalled.

Doctors were surprised that Hugh had been able to walk into the hospital, and he was warned his condition was far more serious than he realised. Given the physically demanding nature of work on the farm, he had even been using a chainsaw the day before his hospital appointment.

In March 2022, a few weeks after the appointment, Hugh underwent triple bypass surgery at Morriston Hospital in Swansea. It was his first ever experience of being admitted to hospital.

“To go from nothing to six days in intensive care is a bit of a shock,” he said.

“A few days after surgery, they asked me to get out of bed and walk - the first few steps were pure agony.”

For his wife Rachel, the experience was equally overwhelming, particularly as the hospital was 70 miles from home and she couldn’t be by his side.

Rachel said. “When somebody tells you really bad news like this, you think, ‘oh my God, the end of the world is now,’”

After a week in hospital, Hugh was discharged, leaving Rachel to support his recovery at home while also keeping the farm running.

Life after a triple heart bypass has also led Hugh to some wonderful experiences, in particular, as a member of the Hawkestone Farmers Choir. As Hugh gradually rebuilt his strength, this unexpected opportunity helped transform his journey to recovery.

The opportunity snowballed into appearances on Britain’s Got Talent, where the choir went on to achieve extraordinary success. For Hugh, the experience was not only about music, but about rebuilding confidence and finding a new outlook after major surgery.

“It’s been a tremendous inspiration to be involved with this group of people,” he said. “We’ve all got issues in one shape or form, and when you can talk about it, it uplifts you.”

Now back working on the farm, albeit at a slightly slower pace, Hugh is using his story to raise awareness of heart health, particularly within rural communities.

“Farmers tend to have a stiff upper lip and won’t go to the doctor,” he said. “But if you’ve got a problem, get it seen to before it becomes too big.”

Hugh has shared his story as part of British Heart Foundation’s campaign, marking 65 years since the charity began. Sixty-five red benches have been unveiled across the UK in tribute to people living with cardiovascular disease and to create spaces where survivors can talk openly about their experiences.

Every three minutes, someone in the UK dies from cardiovascular disease, and more than 400,000 people in Wales are living with heart and circulatory conditions.

Behind each bench is a powerful real-life story showing that, thanks to research, more people can survive and enjoy life with those they love.

Hugh is sharing his story to drive awareness of the impact if cardiovascular disease and wants to drive awareness of symptoms, particularly amongst men and fellow farmers.

Rhodri Thomas, Head of BHF Cymru, said: “Hugh’s story shows both that cardiovascular disease can affect anyone, regardless of their background, and that you can go on to do amazing things after heart surgery. We are hugely grateful to Hugh for speaking so openly about experiences that will resonate with people and communities across Wales.

“Despite being one of Wales’ biggest killers, cardiovascular disease is still misunderstood or not taken seriously. By sharing real stories on our iconic red benches, we want to start conversations, challenge dangerous misconceptions and encourage people to take their heart health seriously.

“Research will help us save and improve more lives, but we can only fund the scientific breakthroughs of tomorrow thanks to the public’s generous donations.”

Every day, around 25 people in Wales die from cardiovascular disease. Donate now to keep Wales beating - visit https://www.bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/in-your-area/wales/keep-wales-beating