Laura Woods, the 37-year-old renowned ITV sports presenter, recently revealed the challenges she faced while keeping her pregnancy a secret during Euro 2024. Expecting her first child with former Love Island star Adam Collard, 28, Woods navigated the pressures of live television, social media speculation, and her battle with morning sickness, all while maintaining a professional front. As of 2024, Laura Woods’ estimated net worth is $2 million, built from her successful career in sports journalism. The couple, who went public with their relationship in October last year, are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their baby as they continue to build their life together.
Secret Struggles
The Euro 2024 tournament in Germany was a challenging time for Laura Woods, who was struggling with morning sickness and extreme exhaustion while presenting on live television. In an interview with The Times, Woods described the experience as a “nightmare,” noting how difficult it was to keep her pregnancy under wraps while battling constant fatigue. Despite getting as much rest as possible on her days off, Woods found herself drained, trying to balance the demands of her job with the physical toll of her early pregnancy.
Speculation and Pressure
Throughout the tournament, social media was abuzz with speculation about whether Woods was pregnant, a situation she found particularly stressful. The scrutiny from both colleagues and the public added to her anxiety, as she tried to maintain her privacy. “It felt like the world was talking about it because of how sensitive you are to it,” Woods explained. The pressure became so intense that she eventually decided to reveal her pregnancy a week after Spain’s victory over England in the Euro final. On July 21, Woods posted a photo on Instagram featuring a sonogram and her French bulldog, with the caption: “Hey, baby,” confirming the news.
Workplace Challenges
Woods also shared the difficulties she faced at work while trying to keep her pregnancy a secret. Her colleagues began to grow suspicious when she repeatedly declined invitations for post-work drinks, something she had to maintain throughout the month-long tournament. “You have to keep that going for the whole month,” Woods said, adding that only a few people at work knew about her pregnancy unless it was absolutely necessary for them to know.
Online Criticism
In addition to the challenges of her pregnancy, Woods has had to deal with significant trolling and harassment online. Despite the joy of expecting her first child, she has faced derogatory comments and invasive speculation on social media. This has led her to step back from social media, a decision she says has improved her overall happiness. The trolling, coupled with her desire to keep her pregnancy private, made her feel “exposed” while presenting on television during such a high-profile event.
Harassment Ordeal
The pressures Woods faced were not limited to her professional life. She was also the victim of a two-year harassment campaign by an obsessed female football fan, Harneet Kaur. Kaur, 25, sent vile messages, targeted Woods with derogatory comments online, and even arranged for unwanted deliveries to her home. Kaur’s harassment escalated to the point of threatening to kidnap and kill Woods’ dog. This terrifying ordeal ended in February when Kaur was sentenced to 14 months in jail. Woods described the experience as leaving her in “real fear,” adding another layer of stress to her already challenging year.
Freak Accident
In May 2024, Woods suffered a freak accident while on holiday with Adam Collard, which left her with cuts to her face and arms. The incident occurred when Woods accidentally shattered a glass lampshade with a pillow, resulting in injuries that forced her to pull out of covering a major boxing match between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia. Woods took to Instagram to explain her absence from television, sharing her relief that the glass missed her eye and expressing gratitude to Collard for his quick actions and unwavering support during the ordeal.
Looking Forward
Despite the challenges she has faced, Laura Woods is now able to embrace her pregnancy with excitement as she moves past the difficult early stages. She is currently preparing for her nightly Paris Olympics round-up show for Discovery+, a role she is eager to dive into as she continues her impressive career in sports journalism. Woods and Collard have been enjoying their time together, with recent holidays to Mexico and the French Alps, as they eagerly anticipate the arrival of their baby.
Conclusion
Laura Woods’ journey through pregnancy has been marked by both professional challenges and personal trials, but she has faced each with resilience and grace. Now, with the hardest part behind her, Woods is looking forward to the future, both as a mother and as a leading figure in sports journalism. Her story is one of determination, balancing the demands of her career with the joys and difficulties of impending motherhood, all while navigating the public eye with poise.