Mansfield star 'fighting for life'

The former Blue Peter and Big Breakfast presenter is said to be in a medically-induced coma after being diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs.

The 42-year-old shared a snap of himself hooked up to medical equipment after being taken off his flight in a wheelchair.

He tweeted a picture of himself hooked up to medical machines in a hospital bed as he hailed the NHS and blasted the American healthcare system.

He said: “Thank God I got ill in Britain (actually on the way to Britain, was taken off the plane in a wheelchair).”

Richard, who now lives and works in Los Angeles, was then rushed to hospital in Lewisham where he was diagnosed with the life-threatening condition, according to the Daily Mirror.

Richard attended St Peter’s CE Primary School on Bellamy Road, Mansfield, before going on to Wellow House School and Worksop College.

He got his first break as a reporter on BBC Radio Nottingham,