Dr. Hilary Jones was rushed to hospital after terrifying heart attack scare
Dr. Hilary Jones detailed his health scare - which happened over Christmas and caused him to he hospitalised - on Tuesday's (20.01.26) episode of ITV's Lorraine.
Dr. Hilary Jones was rushed to hospital after a heart attack scare.
The 72-year-old star had been hospitalised over Christmas with a virus, and after an ECG indicated he had a heart attack, Dr. Hilary was diagnosed with pericarditis - the inflammation of the lining around the heart, which triggers chest pain.
On Tuesday's (20.01.26) episode of ITV's Lorraine, Dr. Hilary - who admitted to Pembury Hospital, Kent - told the morning magazine show's host: "It was a bit of a scare.
"It's been an eventful festive period, really. I've had an unscheduled trip in a motorcycle sidecar when my car had a puncture, and I had to get somewhere urgently.
"But then I had this virus that was going around, that everybody else seems to have had, and I had a bit of pneumonia."
Pneumonia is the inflammation of the lungs, which is typically caused by an infection.
The general practitioner (GP) continued: "[I also had] pericarditis, which is an inflammation of the membrane around your heart.
"It was quite painful and I wasn't quite sure what it was at first, but this excellent young pair of paramedics came round and did an ECG. [The] ECG was a bit scary, it said I had a heart attack - I hadn't.
"We analysed the trace together and diagnosed pericarditis. They were really good. A 21-year-old guy and a slightly older lady, but they were brilliant. I was blue lighted into hospital."
Presenter Lorraine Kelly, 66, reacted: "Gosh, that must have been really weird for you. Really strange, you know."
Dr. Hilary noted: "It would be. They thought it was weird as well, like, 'There's Dr Hilary!'"
He continued: "The hospital were great as well, Pembury Hospital. They were inundated with patients, but they were calm, and it all got sorted."
After Lorraine asked if he is OK now following the scary health ordeal, Dr. Hilary confirmed: "Yeah, absolutely."
The presenter then shared her panic: "We were worried. I was very, very worried. You know when you just hear, you get a message saying, 'Oh, Hilary's been blue-lighted to the ambulance,' and all the rest of it.
"But I felt better after talking to you, and you're OK. Everything's absolutely fine."
Dr. Hilary went on to offer his condolences for Lorraine, who lost her dad, TV service engineer John, at the age of 84 on January 10.
He said: "I know you've had your trials and tribulations. We were in touch together, weren't we?"
Lorraine replied: "So many people have. I think this time of year, it's a strange one."
Lorraine announced John's passing in an emotional tribute shared on Instagram.
Captioning a sweet photo of Lorraine and her beloved dad, she penned: "Very sad news. My dad has died.
"I am mourning the man who bought me a telescope when I was five years old, who watched the moon landings with me and taught me to always be curious and interested in everything.
"He was in poor health but it has still been a shock. Any of you who have experienced a similar loss will know how my brother Graham and I are feeling. (sic)"
Lorraine went on to say that her family's focus now is on looking after her 82-year-old mum, Anne.
She added: "Our priority is taking care of my mum and the family would very much appreciate privacy at this distressing time. We will miss you dad. (sic)"
