### BBC’s Seema Jaswal Opens Up About Meningitis Ordeal and Her Inspirational Journey
Seema Jaswal, a familiar presence on British television for over a decade, is currently leading the BBC coverage of the snooker World Championships. Her engaging style and authoritative knowledge have earned her a loyal following among fans of not just snooker, but also football, cricket, and darts. Yet, behind the professionalism and polished on-screen personality lies a compelling life story marked by challenges, family support, and a personal brush with life-threatening illness.
Born in Richmond to parents who fled Uganda and built a new life in the UK, Jaswal’s journey to national prominence began modestly. She broke into broadcasting with roles on CBBC’s Sports Round and Match of the Day Kickabout, rapidly becoming a steady fixture in mainstream sports coverage. Today, she is one of the few women of colour at the forefront of BBC sport, and her popularity continues to soar.
Despite her high profile, Seema Jaswal prefers to keep her family life out of the public eye. She has been married to Ajay, who works in property, for 14 years, and together they share a young daughter, Ava Lily. Speaking candidly in an interview with Hello! magazine, Jaswal described the overwhelming joy and instant connection she felt at the birth of her daughter. “It was instant love, an instant connection. I don’t think anyone can prepare you for that moment,” she recalled, reflecting on how motherhood has shifted her priorities and inspired her to encourage her daughter to dream big and embrace life’s adventures.
However, Jaswal’s life has not always been smooth sailing. When she was just 16, a seemingly innocuous headache swiftly escalated into a medical emergency. Jaswal recounted how her symptoms were first mistaken for a bad cold, but her mother’s vigilance proved vital. Recognising the classic signs of meningitis – sensitivity to light and intense headache – her mother acted quickly, summoning an ambulance when her daughter’s condition deteriorated. It was later confirmed at hospital, following a lumbar puncture, that Jaswal was suffering from bacterial meningitis. The experience left her parents petrified; Jaswal was in a coma and remembers little of her ordeal.
Jaswal spent ten days recovering in hospital before returning home. The illness forced her to defer her AS levels, pushing her to complete them alongside her A levels the following year, a testament to her determination and resilience. Reflecting on the experience, she remains grateful for managing to recover without long-term complications, especially given how severe meningitis B can often be.
Now, as an ambassador for meningitis awareness, Jaswal uses her public platform to highlight the signs and symptoms of the disease, urging others not to ignore their intuition when something feels amiss. Her advocacy stems from her belief in the importance of quick action and parental instinct, both of which played a crucial role in her own recovery.
Career highlights have since flowed steadily. Jaswal’s appointment as a presenter for the Champions League at the start of the 2021/22 season with BT Sport (now TNT Sports) marked a dream come true. However, the role meant breaking the cherished tradition of watching match nights with her family. In a touching gesture, she left her father a post-it note on his new television, apologising for her absence during the season but promising he could still watch her on screen – an experience she described as both lovely and surreal.
Beyond her broadcast achievements, Jaswal is known for her warmth and empathy. During a recent live broadcast of the snooker World Championships, she comforted player John Higgins on air after an emotional victory, highlighting the human side of elite sport. Jaswal later shared how the close-knit nature of the snooker community allows players to be vulnerable, and how she felt compelled to offer support, regardless of the cameras. “That’s why I love it so much. We’re like a big family,” she explained.
Seema Jaswal’s story is a reflection of the resilience and compassion she brings both to her professional role and to her advocacy. From overcoming life-threatening illness as a teenager to breaking new ground in the world of sports broadcasting, she continues to inspire audiences and colleagues alike with her openness, dedication, and humanity.