TV presenter Charlie Webster thanks Rio doctors and NHS staff for ‘literally saving my life’

TV presenter Charlie Webster is out of hospital five weeks after she nearly died from a rare strain of malaria, contracted while on a charity cycle ride in Brazil

TV presenter Charlie Webster has been discharged from hospital more than five weeks after nearly dying from malaria she contracted in Brazil.

The 33-year-old Team GB ambassador fell ill during the opening ceremony of the Rio Olympics and was diagnosed with a rare strain of the mosquito-borne disease after being taken to hospital on August 6.

 

The former Sky and ITV sports presenter was treated in the South American country before being flown on a medical flight back to the UK at the end of August, still in a serious condition, to be treated at St James’s Hospital in Leeds.

On Friday night she wrote on her social media accounts:

Hey, guess who?! After 5 weeks, I'm out of hospital, alive and finally recovering (even my kidneys have started to slowly improve)!

— Charlie Webster (@CharlieCW) September 9, 2016

A big thank you to the doctor's in Rio and to the exceptional NHS and all the wonderful staff at St James for literally saving my life.

— Charlie Webster (@CharlieCW) September 9, 2016

I am so grateful for all your messages of support and to my family and friends who have been by my side throughout. Massive love 💕

— Charlie Webster (@CharlieCW) September 9, 2016

Webster, from Sheffield, had recently completed a 3,000-mile charity cycle ride from London to Rio when she became ill.

 

Her condition quickly deteriorated and she was put into a medically induced coma. Doctors diagnosed the rare strain of malaria and she underwent kidney dialysis.

TV presenter Charlie Webster ‘now conscious’ in Rio hospital after induced coma

Former Sky Sports presenter Charlie Webster in a coma in Rio hospital