Beloved ITV This Morning therapists Nik and Eva Speakman have courageously shared their experience of navigating profound personal grief following a devastating series of losses that occurred within a remarkably short timeframe. The couple, who have been familiar faces on the daytime programme for fifteen years, helping countless viewers overcome anxieties and psychological trauma, have revealed their own recent "catalogue of traumas."
A Devastating Sequence of Events
In an emotional Instagram post, the Speakmans explained they had been "a bit low key" recently due to an exceptionally difficult period. Eva Speakman detailed the heartbreaking sequence, beginning with the loss of a close friend, followed shortly by the death of her father. The emotional toll was then compounded by a series of further tragic events that unfolded around the Christmas period.
Witnessing a Fatal Road Traffic Accident
Just five days before Christmas, the family found themselves first on the scene at a severe road traffic accident. The situation was so critical that their son, Hunter, had to administer CPR at the scene in a desperate attempt to save a life. Despite his efforts and the individual reaching hospital to see family, the person sadly passed away. Nik and Eva described the psychological impact of witnessing and being part of such a traumatic event as "really, really difficult," adding a heavy layer of distress to their existing grief.
The Loss of Beloved Family Pets
As self-professed huge animal lovers, the couple then faced further heartbreak with their pets. They revealed they were preparing to attend a charity ball when one of their five cats suddenly collapsed. Rushed to an emergency vet, the cat was diagnosed with an incurable heart condition. The Speakmans brought him home for palliative care over Christmas, providing comfort in his final days.
Tragically, this was not an isolated incident. Eva explained that just after Christmas, on Christmas Eve, their six-year-old Maine Coon cat developed a severely swollen stomach. After extensive tests and hospitalisation over the festive period, he returned home for merely twenty-four hours before also passing away. The couple lost both cats within a devastating eight-day period, a blow Eva described as "really hard" and completely unexpected.
Applying Their Own Techniques to Cope
The Speakmans, known for their positive demeanour on television, acknowledged that people might see them as perpetually happy. However, they stressed that "traumas and challenges happen to everyone." They confirmed they have been actively using their own positivity techniques and therapeutic tools to navigate through this profoundly challenging time, demonstrating the practical application of their professional advice in personal crisis.
Family Impact and Moving Forward
The series of events also forced the cancellation of a planned family vacation to Orlando for Hunter's 21st birthday, with celebrations instead held at home. Speaking about their current state, Nik added, "Obviously we're still grieving but it did lift the cloud... We just wanted you to know we're coming out the other side."
In sharing their story, the couple extended a message of solidarity to others facing hardship, emphasising that recovery is possible. "If you're struggling with something right now," Nik said, "to understand that you can come out of it as well." Their candid revelation offers a powerful reminder of the universal nature of grief and the resilience required to overcome life's most difficult moments.
