Channel 4 News
Next on TV
Tonight 6.30pm
Menu
10 Jan 2013

Andrew Marr well-wishers take to Twitter

High-profile names from the worlds of politics and media take to Twitter to wish a speedy recovery to political news veteran Andrew Marr, who has suffered a stroke.

Andrew Marr reading a newspaper on The Andrew Marr Show (picture: Reuters)

Mr Marr, 53, was taken to hospital on Tuesday after suffering a stroke, the BBC said in a statement, and is responding to treatment. The former BBC political editor hosts The Andrew Marr Show on BBC One and Start the Week on BBC Radio 4.

On Wednesday the BBC said: “Andrew Marr was taken ill yesterday and taken to hospital. The hospital confirmed he has had a stroke. His doctors say he is responding to treatment. His family have asked for their privacy to be respected as he recovers.

“We will continue to broadcast The Andrew Marr Show and Radio 4’s Start The Week with guest presenters in his absence. His colleagues and the whole BBC wish him a speedy recovery.”

Acting director-general, Tim Davie, said: I am very sorry to hear the news about Andrew. I wish him a speedy recovery and hope to see him back at the BBC soon.” James Landale, deputy political editor of BBC News, will host The Andrew Marr Show on Sunday.

Get well soon

Members of the media and politicians responded with messages of support on micro-blogging site Twitter, including one from Ed Miliband, the leader of the Labour Party, wishing he get well soon.

Other well-wishers included John Prescott, Andrew Neil, Polly Toynbee and Louise Mensch.

Mr Marr started his career at The Scotsman in 1981, before moving to London to be the newspaper’s parliamentary correspondent. He then joined the Independent,followed by the Economist, before returning to the Independent as its political editor, and latterly editor.

He then moved to the BBC in 2000. He has also presented a number of history programmes along with his politics show and has had five books published.

Around 150,000 people have a stroke each year in the UK with about a quarter of these in people of working age, according to the Stroke Association.

Joe Korner, director of communications at the Stroke Association, said: “We are deeply saddened to hear about Andrew Marr’s stroke and our thoughts are with him and his family at this hard time.

“A stroke happens in an instant but the effects can often last a lifetime. However with the right care and support it is possible to make a recovery and return to a life after stroke.”