Richard Bacon reveals he's got pneumonia 'across both lungs'

The 42-year-old father-of-two posting a picture of himself in a hospital bed alongside the news.

richard bacon

Former Blue Peter presenter Richard Bacon is being treated for double pneumonia across both lungs, he confirmed the news with a picture from his hospital bed.

The candid photo shows him topless with lots of wires attached to his chest, but he didn't give any hint as to what he was receiving treatment for.

The caption simply read: 'It’s the NHS’s 70th birthday today. I hate to miss a party'.

Celebrity friends including Gary Lineker, Professor Green and Will Kemp as well as worried fans  all quizzed Richard on his Instagram post and wished him well.

A photo posted by on

Professor Green, whose real name is Stephen Paul Manderson, wrote: 'Was this mid party? Hope you’re alright.'

Actor Will said: 'Having a belly button tuck?!'

While Gary simply wrote: 'Hope you’re ok fella.'

Richard later confirmed that he had pneumonia on Twitter when a fan pushed for an explanation.

Richard had tweeted: 'Thank God I got ill in Britain (actually on the way to Britain, was taken off the plane in a wheelchair). F**k all the ideology driven politicians who’ve messed up America’s healthcare system. Viva the NHS. Happy 70th.'

The LA-based radio presenter was on his way back to the UK and was removed from the plane on a stretcher.

Someone replied and said: 'You k buddy?' Richard explained: 'I looks l've got pneumonia. Although I thought that was for people in their 80s.'

See more

According to the NHS website pneumonia is swelling or the inflammation of the tissue in one or both the lungs.

It's usually caused by a bacterial infection and symptoms can develop quickly over 24 to 48 hours. It is also possible that they will emerge slowly over several days.

Pneumonia affects roughly eight in 1,000 adults a year in the UK and it is more common in autumn and winter.

Although it is more common and can be more serious in the elderly and very young, people of any age can be affected.

Symptoms of pneumonia include: a dry cough or thick, yellow, green brown or blood-stained mucus when you cough, difficulty breathing, a fever, rapid heartbeat, sweating or shivering, loss of appetite, chest pain and generally feeling

If you feel unwell and have some of these symptoms you should go to your GP.

Jessica Ransom
Senior Food Writer

Jessica is a freelance food writer, stylist and recipe tester. She previously worked as Senior Food Writer at Future. While at Future Jessica wrote food and drink-related news stories and features, curated product pages, reviewed equipment, and developed recipes that she then styled on food shoots. She is an enthusiastic, self-taught cook who adores eating out and sharing great food and drink with friends and family. She has completed the Level 1 Associate course at the Academy of Cheese and is continually building on her knowledge of beers, wines, and spirits.