BBC football commentator Rob Phillips has revealed he suffered a heart attack shortly after Cardiff City's 1-0 defeat at Bolton Wanderers earlier this month. The veteran broadcaster began experiencing severe chest pains after completing his post-match interview with Cardiff manager Brian Barry-Murphy.
Phillips was working alongside former Cardiff striker Nathan Blake for the lunchtime kick-off at the Toughsheet Community Stadium. Following his pitchside conversation with Barry-Murphy after the final whistle, Phillips headed back to the press box to transmit his interview to the BBC sports desk, at which point he began feeling unwell.
Colleague's intervention proves vital
Phillips initially told Blake he would be fine and could drive himself home. However, Blake, sensing something was wrong, insisted he remain at the stadium. "When I got back to the press box to send the interview over, I had severe chest pains," Phillips revealed on BBC Radio Wales. "I said to Nath, 'Oh, look, I'll be fine, we'll drive back and get home'. He said, 'Look, Rob, you've lost all your colour. You're not going anywhere. I'm not going in a car with you on the M6 in that state!'"
Blake subsequently contacted his former Bolton team-mate John McGinlay, who helped arrange for Phillips to be examined by the club doctor, David Humphreys. Phillips was escorted to the doctor's room, where he was informed he could be experiencing a heart attack.
Rapid treatment at hospital
"And there I was, laughing and joking about things, in a bit of pain, I have to say," Phillips recalled. "And within an hour or so I was on a theatre table and they had a pipe going up my arm, sorted out my heart and unblocked the artery with what they call a balloon."
Phillips was treated at Wythenshawe Hospital. He has now disclosed the incident publicly and has been flooded with messages from supporters after the BBC posted his account on social media. The commentator, among the most distinctive voices in Welsh football, has covered Cardiff fixtures for numerous years and is recognised by football fans throughout Wales via his BBC Radio Wales broadcasts.
Public thanks and recovery
Phillips expressed gratitude to Blake and McGinlay for responding so swiftly when he fell ill. He even found levity in the episode: "The moral of the tale is if you are going to have a heart problem like I had, have it in a football club."
Blake's intervention may well have proved vital. Instead of allowing Phillips to travel home, he identified the severity of his situation and ensured medical assistance was found at the ground. Phillips also emphasised the rapid response he received after being examined by the Bolton medical staff, revealing he was on an operating table within approximately an hour.
Speaking on the podcast he co-hosts with the former Bluebirds, Bolton and Wales striker, Rob and Blakey's Commentary Box, Phillips continued: "I want to say thank you publicly to Bolton Wanderers Football Club, club ambassador John McGinlay, doctor David Humphreys, the paramedics, who got me to the hospital with the blue light and sirens, and everyone at Wythenshawe Hospital who were magnificent. And most of all, I want to thank you, Nath."
Blake responded: "That's what friends are for." Phillips said: "I call him my bro and without him I might not even be here. I'm not ashamed to say it - cheers, bro."
