TV presenter Charlie Webster remains in serious condition and on dialysis in Rio hospital as she battles rare form of malaria
STAR TV presenter Charlie Webster remains on dialysis in a serious but stable condition battling a rare form of malaria in a Rio de Janeiro hospital.
The Sun revealed how the 33-year-old Team GB ambassador had been on life support after nearly dying, but has now been brought out of her induced coma.
A friend of the former Sky Sports News host told us: “She remains in a serious but stable condition.
“On Monday the doctors will hopefully take her off dialysis to check her kidney function and everyone is still praying for the best.
“It’s a tough time for Charlie.
“The anti-malaria medication is making her sick and she’s feeling incredibly groggy.”
We can reveal her friends had spent the week believing she was facing certain death before the diagnosis.
The pal explained: “Before we were told Charlie had malaria, the doctors feared it could be something much worse.
“Everyone was panicking and we’re now just so relieved that she’s going to survive.”
Her mum, who has been by her bedside, said: “Charlotte knows she nearly died, but she is really strong
“She mouthed to me earlier, ‘Look at all the machines keeping me alive’.
“I am just thankful she’s able to communicate again.”
Her brother and manager had also flown to be by her side, with medical advice being provided by the London School of Tropical Medicine.
Single Charlie was dating Downton Abbey actor Allen Leech until recently.
She was in Rio as one of the official presenters for Team GB, working for various broadcasters.
Charlie had cycled to the Olympics on a six-week, 3,000 mile trek to raise money for a cancer charity.
The journey saw her travel from London through France, Spain and Portugal before taking a flight to the north of Brazil and then cycling down the country to Rio where she may have contracted the tropical disease.
Charlie’s spokeswoman issued a statement this evening confirming: “Charlie remains conscious and is in a stable condition - she managed to drink water today!
“Doctors have been running lots of tests today, so Charlie’s mum and brother have only just been allowed to visit.
“She is still on dialysis and doctors will be testing her kidneys regularly, hoping to reduce the dialysis over the next few days.”
Charlie was also able to watch a video message from her friend Annie who had previously been by her side in hospital.
The statement added: “It is still unknown how she got the strain of malaria - the route Charlie and the team took doesn’t have any malaria risks and she was advised by two separate doctors that anti-malaria tablets were not necessary.
“Last night, Charlie’s brother held up a phone so she could wave a filmed message for her friend Annie who was by her bedside for 7 days and since flown back to the UK.”
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