'Look at the machines keeping me alive'

Sports presenter Charlie Webster is OUT of her medically-induced coma after contracting malaria

The former Sky Sports host had been on life support after her condition rapidly deteriorated

Howell Davies

Published: 19:58, 18 Aug 2016
Updated: 8:55, 26 Aug 2016

SPORTS presenter Charlie Webster has been brought out of her medically-induced coma after The Sun revealed she was fighting for her life with a rare strain of malaria in Rio.

The former Sky Sports host, 33, had been on life support after her condition rapidly deteriorated but she is now conscious and doctors have removed a tube which was being used to keep her breathing.

Sky Sports presenter Charlie Webster has been brought out of her medically induced coma after contracting malaria in Brazil — Sky Sports presenter Charlie Webster has been brought out of her medically induced coma after contracting malaria in BrazilCredit: Twitter

She initially thought she was just dehydrated and unwell after cycling to Rio - but her condition worsened and it turned out she actually had malaria

Her mum Joy, said: "Charlotte knows she nearly died, she mouthed to me earlier 'look at all the machines keeping me alive.'

"Charlotte is really strong but as the doctors keep reminding me, everyone heals differently.

"I am just so thankful that she’s able to communicate with us again.

"It’s been the worst imaginable time - we have been beside ourselves with worry, but the fact Charlotte is now conscious is amazing.

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"Knowing Charlotte, the thing she’ll be most annoyed about is that she’s missed the Olympics. She will be especially gutted not to have seen Nicola Adams fight today - there’s a TV on the wall, so hopefully she can at least watch the Women’s Boxing final."

Charlie previously made history as the first female presenter of boxing coverage on Eurosport when Wladimir Klitschko took on Alex Leapai in 2014.

She has also fronted boxing coverage on Sky Sports and presented the women’s boxing at the London 2012 Olympics.

Doctors are pleased with her neurological results but said her kidneys are still not responding to treatment and she remains on dialysis.

Charlie fell ill after cycling to the Olympics on a six-week, 3,000 mile trek to raise money for a cancer charity — Charlie fell ill after cycling to the Olympics on a six-week, 3,000 mile trek to raise money for a cancer charityCredit: PA:Press Association

Her mum said Charlie will be more upset about missing the Olympics than being ill

Although she will remain in Intensive Care, Charlie spoke for the first time in a week last night, whispering to her mum: "I can’t believe you have been here all week."

She later asked: "Have you been to the beach?"

Charlie became a regular Sky Sports News presenter in 2010

She is probably the most famous female sports presenter in the UK and has worked for almost every major UK broadcaster — She is probably the most famous female sports presenter in the UK and has worked for almost every major UK broadcasterCredit: Getty Images - WireImage

She had been enjoying her time in Rio before she became ill, and asked her mum if she'd been to the beach too — She had been enjoying her time in Rio before she became ill, and asked her mum if she'd been to the beach tooCredit: Twitter

A spokeswoman for Charlie said "Charlie’s family and friends have been incredibly touched by the overwhelming support and love shown to Charlie today.

"Their main focus now is for Charlie to be stable enough to fly back to the UK."

Charlie has appeared on many TV programmes in the UK including Good Morning Britain — Charlie has appeared on many TV programmes in the UK including Good Morning BritainCredit: Rex Features

Today her team tweeted The Sun’s story, writing: “Thank you very much for your messages of support, it means a lots. #TeamCharlie”

Fellow Sky Sports presenter Hayley McQueen wrote: “Just reading the worst news, if anyone’s going to fight their way back to health it is @CharlieCW sending prayers.”

Former footballer Gary Neville and broadcaster Rachel Brookes have also tweeted their well wishes for her.

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Charlie Webster