Dr Hilary Jones, the well-known GP and regular on ITV's Lorraine, was rushed to hospital after paramedics feared he was having a heart attack. The 70-year-old described how an ECG initially indicated a heart attack, but upon reviewing the trace himself, he and the paramedics diagnosed pericarditis and a touch of pneumonia.
Speaking on the show, Dr Hilary explained: "I had this virus that is going around... and I had a little bit of pneumonia and pericarditis, which is the inflammation of the membrane around your heart." He noted that pericarditis can cause chest pain and is common after a viral infection. The paramedics took him to hospital under blue lights.
Dr Hilary praised the paramedics, saying: "They were brilliant. A 21-year-old guy and a slightly older lady... they thought it was weird as well. It's Dr Hilary!" He added that the hospital staff were calm despite being inundated with patients. He is now recovering well, and presenter Lorraine Kelly admitted she had been very worried.
The health scare comes amid changes at ITV, with Dr Hilary's role on the programme ending in December. He said he will return as a guest presenter and described the situation as "liberating." He also noted that many colleagues saw the changes coming and that groups of staff plan to celebrate together regardless of official parties.
