TV journalist Shelly Horton, widely known as the “Peri Godmother”, is one of Australia’s most recognisable voices in health advocacy.

While she is best known for championing women’s health through her bestselling book I’m Your Peri Godmother, her connection to bowel health is deeply personal.

Shelly underwent major bowel surgery at just eight years old, giving her a lifelong awareness of digestive health.

In 2020 she had a colonoscopy that detected eight polyps. In recovery, a nurse gently told her she had “dodged bowel cancer”, a moment that reinforced the life-saving importance of screening. Since then, Shelly has been diligent about regular checks and encouraging others to do the same.

With a 30+ year media career spanning the ABC, Channel Seven, Fairfax Media and Entertainment Tonight USA, Shelly has appeared weekly on Channel Nine’s TODAY and TODAY EXTRA for the past decade.

She believes in using her platform to challenge stigma and drive real change, including campaigning in parliament and working with organisations to improve workplace awareness and education.