Richard Bacon has broken his silence this morning after being brought out of his medically induced coma for a mystery lung condition.
The stricken star shared a quote with his fans from his hospital bed where he talks about the ‘meaning of love’ as he was inundated with messages of support.
Match of the Day host Gary Lineker also asked him if he had ‘overslept’ and the former Blue Peter presenter replied: ‘Yes, for six days straight.’
The quote, from the late US TV star Fred Rogers, said: ‘We need to help people to discover the true meaning of love. Love is generally confused with dependence.
Ill: Bacon has come out of his medically induced coma and is recovering, however his mother Christine said on Thursday that the star is not fully conscious yet
‘Those of us who have grown in true love know that we can love only in proportion to our capacity for independence.’
He added: ‘I’m learning this’
Minutes later he posted: ‘Deep within us—no matter who we are—there lives a feeling of wanting to be lovable, of wanting to be the kind of person that others like to be with.
‘And the greatest thing we can do is to let people know that they are loved and capable of loving.’ From The World of Mister Rogers’
Richard Bacon was taken to hospital after he arrived in Britain on a flight from the US where he now lives with his wife Rebecca Mcfarlane (pictured together)
Mr Bacon became unwell on a US flight back to the UK on July 5 and was rushed to Lewisham A&E in south east London.
The 42-year-old TV star, was diagnosed with pneumonia on both lungs, a potentially dangerous inflammation which can be caused by a virus or bacteria.
He became so unwell he was put into a medically induced coma, and finally woke on Friday.
His mother Christine She told the Mansfield Chad: ‘He was having a lot of oxygen ventilation, a lot more than a normal person would need, through a pipe, as well as lot of antibiotics.
Richard’s sister Juliet (right) has revealed that the TV presenter had been in a medically induced coma (Julie and her brother at Soho House festival in 2017)
‘They kept him like that for a week and we hadn’t left his side, at one point we really felt we might lose him.
‘It was such a relief when he opened his eyes, although he’s not responding to us very well yet we can see that he is getting better.’
She also tweeted thanking people for their support, saying: ‘As many people know, my son Richard Bacon has been in a medically induced coma in intensive care for a week but he’s young, he’s fit and the NHS have been brilliant, and I’m sure he’ll come through this.
‘Been very worrying. We’ve received so many lovely messages.’
Juliet Bacon wrote on Thursday: ‘This is my seventh day visiting my brother who’s been in an induced coma since last Thursday, just so grateful to the NHS x’
Wife: Richard has been married to Rebecca McFarlane since 2008, and the couple share son Arthur, six and daughter Ivy, three
Speaking to MailOnline, Bacon’s father Paul said: ‘We are all at his bedside daily and we have all been very worried about him. He’s a strong young man and we expect him to come through this.
‘We are incredibly grateful for the concern people have shown. We have had messages of support from all over the world and we appreciate the hospital staff who are doing their very best for him.
‘The messages, emails and texts we have received have been an incredible support.’
Richard Bacon’s sister Juliet has revealed that the TV presenter had been in a medically induced coma for a week.
Celebrity Juice host Keith Lemon wrote that he was sending ‘magical powers’ to the former Blue Peter star
‘All our love’: Comedy double act Dick and Dom penned a touching tribute to Richard
Heart Radio presenter Toby Anstis said that he was thinking of the star’s family
Celeb pals: Jemima Khan enquired as to his well-being, saying ‘Why are you okay?’ on Richard’s last Instragram, showing him in hospital with wires attached to his chest, while Professor Green penned ‘was this mid party? Hope you’re alright’
Juliet Bacon wrote on Instagram on Thursday: ‘This is my seventh day visiting my brother who’s been in an induced coma since last Thursday, just so grateful to the NHS x’
It comes as Mr Bacon reportedly quit his job in the US after wanting his young family to be near their relatives in the UK, before he fell ill.
He is believed to have secretly walked away from his hosting duties at Fox in LA, after moving to America with his wife Rebecca and their children three years ago.
Bacon, who has Arthur, six, and Ivy, four, with his wife, had job offers in the UK and was planning to go in for talks before he was rushed to hospital,The Sun reports.
Joker: Richard wrote on Twitter last week: ‘Thank God I got ill in Britain (actually on the way to Britain, was taken off the plane in a wheelchair)
A source told the Sun: ‘Richard was excited about returning so his kids could see their grandparents more often and be less isolated.
‘He’s in demand, with a variety of job offers on the table. There were also meetings set up about radio and TV work in London.’
Celebrities took to Twitter to pen their support for the star, including Keith Lemon, presenter Toby Antis and comedy act Dick and Dom.
Jeremy Vine wrote: ‘Thinking of my friend Richard Bacon and his family at this frightening time.’
Also sending his support was footballing legend Gary Lineker, who wrote on Richard’s last Instagram – where he was lying on a hospital bed – ‘hope you’re ok fella.’
Hospital stay: The axed Blue Peter presenter’s condition remains unstable (pictured in London, April 2017)
The ex-presenter was last seen in the picture posted last week with nine wires strapped to his chest as he lay in bed at Lewisham Hospital in south-east London.
He wrote on Instagram: ‘It’s the NHS’s 70th birthday today. I hate to miss a party’.
Jemima Khan also enquired as to his well-being, saying ‘Why are you okay?’, while Professor Green penned ‘was this mid party? Hope you’re alright’.
Actor Will Kemp also joked: ‘Your being waxed, right?’, to which Richard replied ‘haha’.
Richard informed his fans at the time: ‘Looks like l’ve got pneumonia. Although I thought that was for people in their 80s.’
The radio personality tried to make light when he joked he was glad he got ill in the UK where he can be cared for by the NHS.
He wrote on Twitter: ‘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.’
He also joked on Instagram: ‘It’s the NHS’s 70th birthday today. I hate to miss a party.’
Earlier this year Bacon revealed how he was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) at age 42.
In a candid interview with The Sun, the Fox presenter admitted his behaviour had spun out of control in the run-up to his diagnosis, saying he had been going out late drinking too much, as well as losing his credit cards ‘twice a week’, and other personal items.
The father-of-two, who said it was a ‘relief’ to be finally be diagnosed, admitted he was causing ‘pain and chaos’ to his family, and was tired all the time.
Concerned by his behaviour, the star saw a specialist, and after a brain scan, found out he had two types of ADHD and was put on medication.
He said the treatment has allowed him to sleep and cut down his drinking to twice a week and in significantly lesser amounts.
Richard, who has been married to Rebecca McFarlane since 2008, said now he feels he can finally change and be a ‘good husband and father.’