Emma Izzard dead: Escape To The Country star dies after vomiting blood

An Escape To The Countrystar died after vomiting blood, an inquest has heard. The inquest heard that Emma Izzard, 53, died at Norfolk and Norwich Hospital in November last year, after appearing on the BBC programme with her then partner, Kym Lofthouse.

Norfolk Coroner's Court heard that Ms Izzard had been battling alcoholism prior to her death. Her alcohol consumption increased in July 2022 after her mother took ill.

Ms Izzard was rushed to the hospital on November 19 after she started vomiting blood and suffered a cardiac arrest, but was resuscitated.

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Just one day after being admitted to hospital, Ms Izzard died after going into cardiac arrest while undergoing a gastroscopy in an operating theatre. A gastroscopy is a procedure in which a thin tube with a camera attached is inserted into the digestive tract to examine the stomach, oesophagus and duodenum to look at symptoms including pain, bleeding or difficulty swallowing.

At the inquest, her death was ruled as an oesophageal and variceal bleed, with alcohol-related liver disease. Emma's former partner, Kym said: "Emma had a very strong bond with her mother.

"Emma lived with her for many years and continued to look after her even when she did move out. [Emma's] alcohol levels increased when her mother was taken to hospital in July 2022, and she thought she was going to lose her. After six months of secret drinking, she wanted to stop but couldn't get the help required quickly enough and began drinking again."

The court heard that Emma had attended rehab on several occasions but each relapse caused her drinking to "become heavier." Emma's father, who died when she was just a teenager, also struggled with alcoholism. Speaking about Emma, Kym added: "Emma was a larger-than-life character who was very popular both in and outside of her work, and she had many friends.

"She was very caring but had had personal struggles earlier in her life that she was unable to deal with." Emma also attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and received some help from Change Grow Live (CGL), an alcohol misuse charity.

"Emma did not want to drink but it had taken a strong hold of her," Kym said, adding: "And she didn’t and couldn’t deal with her problems. Her drinking became heavier, and she became desperate."

Addressing the court, area coroner Johanna Thompson said: "Emma had a history of excess alcohol consumption and had been diagnosed with alcohol-related liver disease. At the hospital, Emma was clearly presenting as very poorly. She was white, dehydrated, and was considered to have symptoms of acute alcohol withdrawal.

"Sadly, after being given surgery, treatment could not save her at the end of the day." The court heard that Ms Izzard worked as a general assistant for a charity and dealt with her everyday life "competently when not drinking."

She appeared on the BBC One programme in 2021 while living in Luton, Bedfordshire, when she and her partner were hoping to start a new life in Norfolk due to its "clean air" and "slower pace of life." However, after moving to North Walsham, she and Kym later parted ways but remained close friends.

If you are struggling with alcohol abuse or addiction, advice and support can be found atalcoholchange.org.uk

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