Entertainment
BBC and Drive to Survive presenter Jennie Gow suffers ‘serious’ stroke and reveals speech has been impacted-Sabrina Barr-Entertainment – Metro
She expressed her ‘desperate’ hope for a ‘full recovery’.
She expressed her ‘desperate’ hope for a ‘full recovery’ (Picture:Getty)
TV and radio presenter Jennie Gow, who has reported for BBC Sport, BBC News and BBC Radio 5 Live, has revealed that she suffered a ‘serious’ stroke a couple of weeks ago.
In a statement shared on Twitter, the 45-year-old, who also appeared on the Netflix series Drive to Survive, explained why she has been absent from social media and expressed hope for her recovery.
‘Hi everyone, been quiet the last few weeks, this is because I suffered a serious stroke two weeks ago,’ she said.
‘My husband is helping me type this, as I’m finding it hard to write and my speech is most affected.’
Jennie continued: ‘I’m desperate to make a full recovery and return to work, but it might take some time.
‘Thank you to the medical teams at Frimley and St George’s and my family and friends who’ve got me through the last fortnight X.’
The NHS explains that a stroke is a ‘serious life-threatening medical condition that happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off’.
Following the release of Jennie’s statement, she received numerous messages of support on Twitter.
‘So sorry to read this Jennie. Shout me if you need anything. We have experience of Stroke in our house. Take your time in recovery. Sending big ❤️,’ wrote broadcaster Phil Williams.
‘Jennie, so desperately sorry to read this and sending all my love and strength. You WILL get through this but take all the time you need. We’ll all be here. So much love. Xxx,’ added sports presenter Laura Winter.
What are the symptoms of a stroke?
The national health service outlines that the symptoms of a stroke can be remembered by using the acronym FAST, which stands for Face, Arms, Speech and Time.
When an individual suffers a stroke, they may not be able to smile, their face may have dropped to one side or their mouth or eye may have dropped.
They may not be able to lift both of their arms and keep them up, as one of their arms could be feeling weak or numb.
They may exhibit slurred or unclear speech, or be unable to talk at all and have difficulty understanding if someone else is speaking to them.
People are urged to call 999 if any of these symptoms are spotted.
The official Formula One Twitter account added: ‘Thinking of you Jennie, and wishing you all the very best with your recovery, from us all at F1.’
Jennie has been married to her husband Jamie Coley, an F1 and Extreme E Senior AP for Sky Sports, since 2012. The couple share one child together.
She first joined BBC Sport in 1999, working as a production secretary for Sports Personality of the Century after studying for her degree in Media and Communication Studies.
In the early 2000s, she began working as a presenter for speedway and motocross productions, working for broadcasters including Sky Sports and Channel 4.
Jennie became a presenter for the BBC’s MotoGP coverage in 2010, and became a pit lane reporter for BBC Radio 5 Live.
She appeared in the third season of Netflix documentary series Formula 1: Drive to Survive, which came out in 2021.
The charity Stroke Association offers a helpline for anyone who has suffered or been affected by stroke, or if you want further information. You can call the helpline on 0303 3033 100 or email helpline@stroke.org.uk.
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