TV presenter Imogen Crump is praised for taking a break after stopping mid-sentence during a severe hot flash.
A guest presenter who appeared on a morning show in Australia has been praised after she stopped mid-sentence to confess she was having a severe hot flash.
Imogen Crump, editor of the University of Melbourne’s Pursuit and Research news website, was discussing the day’s headlines on ABC’s “News Breakfast” program on Wednesday when she suddenly stopped.
“I’m so sorry, I could keep tripping, but I’m having a perimenopausal hot flash right now, live on air, I’m sorry,” Crump said.
Host Lisa Millar immediately praised Crump for his honesty.
“We need to make it normal to have these kinds of conversations and I love you for even saying it, because we interview people, we talk to people about this and this is the reality,” Millar said.
Crump then tried to cool off by fanning his face with his hands and responded, “I don’t think hormones respect national television.”
Co-host Michael Rowland then told Crump he could “take a breath” to calm down and the rest of the panel resumed their discussions.
Shortly after, Millar told viewers at home: “Imogen is back with us.”
The woman went on to explain that while her hot flashes don’t last long, they turn her into “the oven of the sun.”
She later took to social media after her appearance to talk about what had happened on air.
“Most days I can get through all the varieties of weirdness that perimenopause throws at me in private, or at least in a quiet room at work,” she said. “Hot flashes, anxiety, brain fog, itching and sore gums (yes) can be distracting and sometimes distressing.
“However, this morning my hormones decided to pounce on me live on ABC’s ‘News Breakfast,'” she continued. “I could pretend it wasn’t happening (and look inept) or explain why I was stumbling my way through a story about bilateral relations.
“At that moment, I chose to explain. “Lisa Millar and Michael Rowland were lovely (as were the wider ABC Breakfast team who provided water and reassurance, and the audience sent kind messages).”
He added: “Do I wish this hadn’t happened on live television? Yes. But if it’s a step toward having public conversations about something that at least half the population will experience in one way or another, then fine.”
The women were quick to praise her on-air reaction and shared how proud they were of her.
“Thank you for your authenticity: the more honest we are with each other, the more people will be able to reach out when they need support, knowing that they will be heard and understood,” wrote one follower.
While another added: “I’m so glad it wasn’t ‘overlooked’ – it was just a real person doing something normal, and you made it even more normal!”
