Julia Bradbury has said she was unsure whether she would ever travel or wear a bikini again following her breast cancer diagnosis.

The former Countryfile presenter, 51, underwent a mastectomy in October during which her breast plus two lymph glands were removed before reconstruction took place.

She spoke to Hello! magazine from Mauritius where she was on holiday with her partner Gerry and their three children, Zephyrus, 10, and seven-year-old twins Xanthe and Zena. 

She said: 'I have this feeling of embracing everything now, grabbing everything that life has to offer with open arms. 

I wasn't sure that I would ever travel again - and certainly wasn't sure whether I'd wear a bikini ever again.'

Julia added she had always appreciated the 'healing power of nature' and did so even more now.

I'm still at the acute end of coming through my diagnosis and coming to terms with everything, so life is very heightened,' she said.

'The skies are a deeper shade of blue, the patterns of nature are more striking than usual. I'm taking it all in.'

The broadcaster said she was using her illness as an opportunity to 'reset' her emotional and physical health and now practises meditation and gratitude every day, sleeps at least eight hours each night and has cut out almost all alcohol.

She added: 'It will be a long time before you find me dancing on tables again - and I love dancing on tables.'

Julia also told how she had promised at the beginning of the holiday to agree to any of her children's requests, from swimming to trekking or eating ice cream but only one a day.

She added: 'They are this size for such a short time: you blink and they're gone.

I want to enjoy every one of those moments and they're even more magnified and precious now.'  

It comes after Julia wore a bikini for the first time since undergoing the procedure, as she holidayed in Mauritius, and admitted she feels 'fortunate' to have had immediate breast reconstruction.

The TV personality took to Instagram where she shared a gorgeous shot of herself in a blue bikini and beach cover-up in matching print, while relaxing in the sunshine.

Julia penned: 'I had no idea what life after a #mastectomy would be like. I feel incredibly grateful that some things have gone my way during my #breastcancer diagnosis. Each of our stories is different...

'I was fortunate to be able to have immediate recon after my breast was removed containing a 6cm tumour.  

'Nothing prepares you for the shock & impact...& yet but here I am in a bikini again. Didn't think this would happen.