Recalling the challenging period, Julia disclosed that while managing the demanding IVF process and her broadcasting career, she had to conceal her difficulties from the public eye. She noted a particularly stressful time working in Scotland, which she believes may have contributed to the initial lack of success with IVF. However, after reducing her workload and taking a rejuvenating five-week break, she eventually discovered she was pregnant with twins.

In a conversation on the Spinning Plates podcast with Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Julia explained why she didn’t go public about the emotional challenges she faced during the IVF journey. She emphasised that it was essential to keep it private at the time due to the potential impact on her work relationships with people in the industry.

Julia vividly recalled the day she found out about her pregnancy, expressing the emotional significance of the moment. Despite facing fertility struggles, diagnosed with Endometriosis at the age of 33, Julia’s twins, Xanthe and Zena, were born three years after the arrival of her son Zephyr, who is now 12.

Describing the desire for more children, Julia explained that the urge for Zephyr to have a sibling was strong, especially considering her older parental age. She faced challenges due to Endometriosis, a condition where tissue similar to the womb lining grows in other places, causing severe pelvic pain and making conception more difficult.

After the “miracle” birth of her son, Julia expressed feeling incredibly blessed, having initially believed that having children was not possible. She also spoke fondly of her husband Gerard Cunningham, highlighting his emotional and hands-on approach to fatherhood. Julia left Countryfile in 2014 after a five-year stint and transitioned to presenting a five-part series on ITV.