TV presenter Richard Bacon has shared more details about his recent health issues, revealing he came “close to death” during his recent hospital stay.

Earlier this month, Richard became unwell on a flight from Los Angeles to London due to an infection, and after being taken to hospital, he was put into a medically-induced coma.

Reflecting on that time in an interview with Radio 4’s ‘Broadcasting House’, Richard said: “The doctor said, ‘I need to put you into an induced coma so that we can control your breathing and if I don’t do that you are probably going to die’.”

Richard went on to brand the conversation the “most shocking moment of his life”.

He added: “The first two nights went really badly – no one’s fault – the infection was winning and my lungs were losing.

“My blood oxygen level went down to 70%, and when you go below 70% basically you are looking at death or brain damage – but more likely death.

“I hit 70% and for the first two nights, I have since found out, I came quite close to death.”

Now out of hospital, as of last week, Richard is now recovering at home, and recently made a public declaration of gratitude to his wife, Rebecca, for helping him through his ordeal. 

He tweeted on his “last full day in hospital”: “Every facet of my life would be worse without Rebecca in it. How will I ever thank her?

“I was in a coma for nine or ten nights (I just learned). That’s a lot of staring at your husband and his pipes. And a lot of worry.”

In addition to singing his wife’s praises, Richard has also repeatedly thanked the NHS for getting him through his bout of ill health.