A woman who starred on the BBC‘s Escape to the Country to find a ‘new perfect life’ died after struggling with alcoholism, an inquest has heard.
Emma Izzard, 53, was rushed to hospital on November 19 last year after she started vomiting blood.
She previously appeared on an episode of Escape to the Country in 2021 with her then-partner Kym Lofthouse.
The couple, who lived in Luton, Bedfordshire, were hoping to start a dream life in Norfolk and had asked host Ginny Buckley to help them find a new home.
Ms Izzard and Ms Lofthouse had picked the location for its ‘clean air’ and ‘slower pace of life’.
They eventually moved to North Walsham, and despite later parting ways, they remained friends.
An inquest into Ms Izzard’s death at Norfolk Coroner Court this week revealed her struggles with alcoholism.
Ms Lofthouse told the hearing that her alcohol consumption had increased in July 2022 after her mother fell ill.
Emma Izzard (pictured), 53, was rushed to hospital on November 19 last year after she started vomiting blood
Emma Izzard (far right) appeared on an episode of the BBC’s Escape to the Country
She said according to The Eastern Daily Press: ‘[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 Ms Izzard underwent several stints in rehab but relapses caused her drinking ‘to become heavier’.
‘Emma did not want to drink but it had taken a strong hold of her,’ Ms Lofthouse added.
The Escape to the Country star was rushed to Norfolk and Norwich Hospital by ambulance on November 19 last year after she started vomiting blood.
She sadly died the following day after she went into cardiac arrest whilst undergoing a gastroscopy in the operating theatre.
Her cause of death was given at the inquest as an oesophageal and variceal bleed, with alcohol-related liver disease.
The hearing was also told that Ms Izzard’s father, who died when she was a teenager, had struggled with alcoholism himself.
Coroner Johanna Thompson concluded that Ms Izzard’s death was alcohol related.
She said the 53-year-old had a ‘history of excess alcohol consumption’ and was also suffering from alcohol-related liver disease.
The coroner stated she was presented at the hospital with symptoms of acute alcohol withdrawal and could not be saved by the treatment.
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