Better Homes and Gardens star Melissa King reveals terrifying health battle she has kept secret for years – and recalls the moment she had a spasm live on Sunrise

Better Homes and Gardens star Melissa King has opened up about a terrifying health battle she kept secret for years.  

The mother-of-two revealed doctors discovered a benign brain tumour in 2017 after the gardening expert began suffering migraines.

In 2021, Melissa under went radiotherapy for the condition, called a meningioma, which is known to cause uncontrollable facial spasms.

Melissa eventually broke the news of her tumour to the Better Homes and Gardens team in 2023 after joining the show three years earlier.

‘I just wanted to be able to take each step quietly with my family around me,’ she said during an interview in the latest issue of the Australian Women’s Weekly. 

The mother-of-two revealed that doctors discovered a benign brain tumour in 2017 after the gardening expert began suffering migraines Pictured: Melissa with her Better Homes & Gardens co-presenters Graham Ross (L) and Charlie Albone (R)

Melissa eventually broke the news of her tumour to the Better Homes and Gardens team in 2023 after joining the show three years earlier 

‘They wrapped me up in so much love and I felt very supported by them.’

The fan favourite was prompted to update the team, including co-hosts Charlie Albone, James Tobin, after she suffered a spasm attack on her birthday in February.

‘They’ve been amazing,’ she said.

‘Most of my segments are filmed so we can stop the camera if I need to wait until it passes.

‘People have been incredibly understanding and supportive, and I’m so grateful.’

Elsewhere in the chat, Melissa described the frightening moment she had a spasm attack while presenting a gardening segment for Seven’s breakfast show Sunrise. 

‘I could feel the stretching and tightening as the right side of my face contorted, and I knew everyone watching at home could see it too,’ she said.

In 2021, Melissa under went radiotherapy for the condition, called a meningioma, which impacts the lining of the brain and is known to cause uncontrollable facial spasms

Melissa says now she out to campaign to raise awareness for better brain health

‘That morning was awful. I could hear the producers say, ‘Melissa, are you okay?’’

Melissa says now she out to campaign to raise awareness for better health after doctors advised the TV star that her migraines were likely the result of diet, rather than her meningioma.

Triggering foods included wine, dried fruits and vinegar – which contain sulphites – a stimulant for migraines.

Melissa is mother to two boys, Noah, 11, and Marlon, nine.