Good Morning Britain presenter Charlotte Hawkins experienced a frightening family emergency over the festive period, when her father-in-law was suddenly taken ill and rushed to hospital on Christmas Eve. The 50-year-old broadcaster shared the traumatic ordeal, revealing he required an operation but made a remarkably swift recovery.
A Festive Celebration Interrupted
The mum-of-one was enjoying a family Christmas when the medical drama unfolded. Her father-in-law fell ill and required urgent hospital admission. In a heartfelt New Year's message shared with her followers, Charlotte explained the dramatic sequence of events.
She detailed that her relative was "rushed to hospital from ours on Christmas Eve" but, in what she described as a "Christmas miracle", was "back around the table less than 24 hours later after having a pacemaker fitted." The entire incident occurred in the early hours, around 3am.
Tribute to NHS Heroes
Hawkins was effusive in her praise for the medical teams who worked over the holiday. She paid a special tribute to the NHS staff and paramedics who ensured her father-in-law could return home in time for Christmas Day.
"From the brilliant paramedics in the ambulance, to the incredible NHS team who were there in the hospital over Christmas and got him back to us in time to raise a glass on Christmas Day," she said. "Such a HUGE thank you." Her public acknowledgment highlighted the critical work of emergency services during the holidays.
Support from Fans and Personal Resonance
Fans of the ITV show quickly offered their support and well-wishes following Charlotte's revelation. Messages flooded in, with one follower, Feebee, writing: "Wow! Sending you all some peace and healing." Another, named Lexi, added: "Happy New Year. So glad your FIL is ok."
The incident held particular personal resonance for Hawkins, who has previously spoken emotionally on GMB about her own late father's battle with motor neurone disease. Frank Hawkins died in 2015 at the age of 78 after a three-year fight with the terminal condition.
Charlotte has since become a patron of the Motor Neurone Disease Association and often champions positive uses of technology, like AI, to help those who have lost their voice to the illness. She has also shared that her father passed away just one month before the birth of her daughter, Ella Rose, and she remains "thankful" he knew she was expecting.
