Richard Bacon’s mum has said the former Blue Peter star has been taken out of an induced coma after being hospitalised for suspected double pneumonia.
She said Richard isn’t fully awake yet but the family can already see he appears to be “getting better”.
The 42-year-old television presenter fell ill on a flight from the USA to the UK last week and was taken to a London hospital A&E.
He initially tweeted photos of himself being treated before the updates stopped.
His sister, Juliet, then revealed on Thursday that Richard had been in an induced coma since July 5.
Now, his mum Christine has spoken to local newspaper, the Mansfield Chad, to give an update on her son’s condition.
She said Richard had been receiving oxygen ventilation and antibiotics and, although the family feared they “might lose him” at one stage, his condition has thankfully begun to improve.
A tracheostomy was performed on Wednesday and Richard’s now out of the induced coma and starting to come around.
His mum said: “It was such a relief when he opened his eyes, although he’s not responding to us very well yet we can see that he is getting better. There’s a long way to go yet, but this is a very positive step and it has eased my mind.”
Christine also said on Twitter: “As many people know, my son has been in a medically induced coma in intensive care for a week but he’s young, he’s fit and the NHS have been brilliant, and I’m sure he’ll come through this.
“Been very worrying. We’ve received so many lovely messages.”
As many people know, my son @richardpbacon has been in a medically induced coma in intensive care for a week but he’s young, he’s fit and the NHS have been brilliant, and I’m sure he’ll come through this. Been very worrying. We’ve received so many lovely messages👏
— Christine Bacon (@xtinebacon) July 13, 2018
Many of Richard’s celebrity friends and colleagues had taken to social media to wish him the best after news of his condition broke.
Among them was Piers Morgan, who had told Juliet on Instagram: “I am shocked to hear this. Sending you and the whole family all my love and support. Must be an incredibly worrying time. If there’s anything you need, just shout.”
I’m A&E (in Lewisham) on the NHS’s 70th birthday. I don’t like to miss a party pic.twitter.com/AzuAouTJhX
— richard bacon (@richardpbacon) July 5, 2018
Richard had taken to Twitter on July 5 to joke his A&E visit coincided with 70 years of the NHS.
He shared a shot of the A&E department with the caption: “I’m A&E (in Lewisham) on the NHS’s 70th birthday. I don’t like to miss a party.”
The radio presenter explained that he was travelling to the UK from America and was taken off the plane in a wheelchair after falling ill.
On Thursday (July 12) Richard’s sister Juliet said on Instagram that her brother has been in an induced coma since July 5.
She posted a black-and-white picture of a hospital intensive care unit, captioning the post: “This is my seventh day visiting my brother who’s been in an induced coma since last Thursday. Just so grateful to the NHS x.”
Richard is best known for being a presenter on Blue Peter between 1997 and 1998.
He’s also presented shows like Top of the Pops, The Big Breakfast and The Big Painting Challenge. More recently, Richard has been hosting a daily news show in the States called The 30.
ED! has contacted Richard’s rep for comment.
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