Andrea McLean, the Scottish television presenter and author, has lived a life marked by public success, private struggle, and a recent near-death health crisis. From her years on GMTV and Loose Women to a devastating illness in late 2024, her story continues to evolve. Here is a look at her biography, personal life, health emergency, and current work.
McLean, now 55, stepped away from her long-running television career in 2020 to launch a wellness platform. That venture ultimately failed, leading to significant financial loss. Then, around Christmas 2024, she collapsed at home and was hospitalised with severe pneumonia, sepsis, and kidney failure — an event that brought her within hours of death.
Today, she is recovering in Spain with her husband, Nick Feeney, and continues to write and speak publicly. Her book Shameless, published in 2024, explores themes of confidence and releasing shame, drawing on her own experiences.
Who Is Andrea McLean? Age, Net Worth and Career Overview
Identity
Scottish TV presenter, author, and former Loose Women panelist.
Age
Born 5 October 1969 – currently 55 years old (as of 2025).
Net Worth
Estimated at around £1–2 million based on media reports, though not officially confirmed.
Key Health Event
Survived severe pneumonia in 2025; lost 80% of right lung and suffered kidney failure.
Here are the key aspects of her public profile:
- Andrea McLean is best known for her long career on ITV’s GMTV and Loose Women.
- Her 2025 health crisis brought renewed public attention and reshaped her brand as a resilience speaker and advocate.
- Her book Shameless focuses on releasing shame and building confidence, drawing on her own life.
- Despite the near-death experience, she remains active on social media and continues public speaking engagements.
- Her business This Girl Is On Fire failed after her departure from Loose Women, resulting in major financial loss.
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Andrea Jean McLean |
| Born | 5 October 1969 (age 55) |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Occupation | Journalist, TV presenter, author, speaker |
| Known for | GMTV weather presenter, Loose Women panelist |
| Spouse | Nick Feeney (married since 2017) |
| Children | Two (a son and a daughter from previous marriage) |
| Book | Shameless (published 2024) |
| 2025 Health | Recovering from pneumonia; lost 80% of right lung, temporary kidney failure |
Andrea McLean’s Personal Life: Husband, Children and When She Was Young
Who is Andrea McLean’s husband?
Andrea McLean married life coach Nick Feeney in November 2017. It is her third marriage. According to reports, their relationship deepened through the financial and health adversity they faced together. Feeney has been a central support figure during her recovery. Previous marriages include Nick Green (2000–2005) and Steve Toms (2009–2012).
Does Andrea McLean have children?
Yes, McLean has two biological children. Her son Finlay is now 24 years old (born around 2001). Her daughter Amy was 9 years old in 2025 (born around 2016). She also has two stepdaughters from Feeney’s previous relationships, making a blended family of six. The family relocated to Spain in July 2025.
What did Andrea McLean look like when young?
Born in Glasgow, Scotland, McLean spent her formative years in Trinidad and Tobago before returning to Scotland at age 15. She began her career in local journalism and presenting in the 1990s, later joining GMTV as a weather presenter in 2000, where she became a familiar face to morning television audiences across the UK.
Andrea McLean has been married three times. Her current husband, Nick Feeney, is a life coach. Together, they parent two biological children — Finlay (24) and Amy (9) — as well as two stepdaughters from Feeney’s side. The family moved to Spain in July 2025.
What Illness Did Andrea McLean Have? The Near-Death Experience Explained
What happened to Andrea McLean’s lung?
In late 2024, around Christmas and New Year, McLean collapsed in her bathroom and was hospitalised. Doctors diagnosed her with severe pneumonia, a lung infection. According to reporting, she lost approximately 80% of her right lung as a result of the infection. While pneumonia is a serious lung condition, there is no documented record of her suffering from “lung failure” as a standalone medical term; the critical conditions were sepsis and kidney failure.
Did Andrea McLean have kidney failure?
Yes, McLean was diagnosed with acute kidney injury (kidney failure) alongside pneumonia and sepsis. Medical staff warned that she was approximately 24 hours away from death and that if she had waited one more day to seek help, she would not have survived. The kidney failure was temporary, and she has since recovered.
How is Andrea McLean’s health now?
As of early 2026, McLean has survived the ordeal and relocated to Spain. She has described herself as being “still in the trenches” financially but in a better place mentally and emotionally. The full extent of permanent damage to her lung has not been detailed in public sources, though she remains active on social media and continues to work as a speaker and author.
While multiple sources confirm that Andrea McLean suffered severe pneumonia, sepsis, and acute kidney injury, there is no record of her being diagnosed with “lung failure.” The term “lung failure” does not appear in any of the verified medical reports or news accounts covering her case.
McLean’s health crisis began in late December 2024. She was hospitalised after collapsing at home, diagnosed with severe pneumonia, sepsis, and kidney failure. Doctors told her she was 24 hours from death. She survived and moved to Spain in July 2025 to focus on recovery and family.
Andrea McLean’s Book ‘Shameless’ and Her Career as an Author
What book did Andrea McLean write?
Andrea McLean published Shameless in 2024. The book blends memoir and self-help, offering readers a guide to releasing shame and building confidence. It draws directly on her own life experiences, including her career in television, her personal struggles, and her journey toward resilience.
What is Shameless about?
The book is positioned as a manual for anyone who has ever felt held back by shame or self-doubt. McLean writes about her own mistakes, failures, and the process of rebuilding. The term “shame changer” has become part of her public identity, and she now speaks at events about vulnerability and mental health.
Is Andrea McLean an author?
Yes, in addition to her television career, McLean is a published author and motivational speaker. Her book Shameless represents a deliberate career shift away from traditional TV presenting toward a brand built on resilience and realism. She continues to promote the book via her Instagram and LinkedIn profiles.
Key Milestones in Andrea McLean’s Life and Career
- 1969: Born in Glasgow, Scotland.
- 1990s: Begins career in local journalism and presenting.
- 2000: Becomes weather presenter on GMTV (later Good Morning Britain).
- 2013: Joins Loose Women as a regular panelist, staying until 2021.
- 2017: Marries businessman and life coach Nick Feeney.
- 2024: Publishes book Shameless.
- 2025: Hospitalised with severe pneumonia; undergoes life-saving treatment and relocates to Spain.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Uncertain About Andrea McLean’s Story?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Born 5 October 1969 (per Wikipedia). | Exact net worth is not publicly disclosed; estimates vary widely. |
| Married to Nick Feeney since 2017 (multiple sources). | Current health status beyond basic recovery is not detailed in public sources. |
| Two biological children (son Finlay, daughter Amy). | Whether she will return to TV presenting has not been announced. |
| Had severe pneumonia in 2024/2025, lost 80% of right lung, experienced kidney failure (per Sunday Post). | The full prognosis for her long-term lung function is not publicly known. |
How Did Andrea McLean’s Career Shift from TV to Author and Speaker?
Andrea McLean transitioned from mainstream television presenting to become an author and motivational speaker, building a brand centred on resilience and realism. After leaving Loose Women in November 2020, she launched a wellness and life-coaching platform called This Girl Is On Fire. That business ultimately failed, resulting in the loss of her £1 million Surrey home, her savings, and significant debt. She reportedly sold engagement rings on Vinted and applied for a job at Starbucks.
Her 2025 health crisis added a new layer of authenticity to her public image. The term “shame changer” is part of a broader cultural trend of public figures discussing mental health and vulnerability openly. Her book Shameless and her speaking engagements capitalise on this shift, presenting her not as a polished TV personality but as someone who has faced real hardship and survived.
No official announcements have been made regarding a return to television, though she remains active on social media and continues to accept speaking engagements.
Where Does the Information About Andrea McLean Come From?
The primary sources for this article include Wikipedia for factual biography, the Sunday Post for health narrative details, and BBC for early career background. Additional reporting from the Mirror and the Independent provided corroboration on financial and personal details. For those interested in how public figures navigate health disclosures, see How to research public figures’ health updates.
“She was warned she was 24 hours away from death; if she had waited one more day, she would have died.”
— Mirror, reporting on McLean’s 2024 health crisis
“I’m still in the trenches financially but in a better place mentally and emotionally.”
— Andrea McLean, as quoted in the Independent (early 2026)
What Is the Full Picture of Andrea McLean’s Life Today?
Andrea McLean is a Scottish television presenter and author who survived a near-fatal health crisis involving pneumonia, sepsis, and kidney failure. She has rebuilt her life in Spain with her husband Nick Feeney and their blended family, while continuing to write and speak publicly. Her financial situation remains difficult, but she describes her mental and emotional state as improved. Her book Shameless and her public speaking work represent a deliberate shift from traditional TV presenting toward a more personal, resilience-focused career. For more on how public figures navigate health disclosures, see How to research public figures’ health updates.
Frequently Asked Questions About Andrea McLean
Is Andrea McLean still married?
Yes, she has been married to Nick Feeney since 2017.
Did Andrea McLean leave Loose Women?
She left the panel in 2021 to focus on other projects, including her wellness platform.
How many children does Andrea McLean have?
She has two children: a son (Finlay) and a daughter (Amy) from her previous marriage, plus two stepdaughters.
What is Andrea McLean’s book about?
Shameless is a guide to releasing shame and building confidence, blending memoir and self-help.
Is Andrea McLean fully recovered from pneumonia?
She survived and is recovering, but the extent of permanent lung damage is not fully detailed in public sources.
What is Andrea McLean’s Instagram handle?
@andreamclean1 (342K followers as of early 2026).
What was Andrea McLean’s net worth at her peak?
She owned a £1 million Surrey home, but lost it along with her savings after her business failed. Exact net worth was never publicly disclosed.
Did Andrea McLean have lung failure?
No. She had severe pneumonia, sepsis, and kidney failure. There is no record of “lung failure” in verified medical reports.
Where does Andrea McLean live now?
She relocated to Spain in July 2025 with her husband and family.
Will Andrea McLean return to television?
No official announcements have been made. She currently focuses on writing, speaking, and her family.
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William Ashby is Editor-in-Chief at Current UK, responsible for editorial policy, publication decisions and the corrections process.