Richard Bacon rushed from aeroplane to hospital with double pneumonia

Radio presenter Richard Bacon is recovering in hospital after being diagnosed with double pneumonia.

The 42-year-old discussed his hospitalisation during an impassioned defence of the NHS on Twitter.

"Thank God I got ill in Britain (actually on the way to Britain, was taken off the plane in a wheelchair). Fuck all the ideology driven politicians who’ve messed up America’s healthcare system. Viva the NHS. Happy 70th," he tweeted (sic).

Asked if he was doing okay by BBC News presenter Rachael Bland, Bacon responded: “Basically pneumonia. But across two lungs. I’ll be here a few days."

Bacon, who was infamously dismissed from Blue Peter after his cocaine use was exposed in tabloid press, has always openly discussed his health, a few months ago explaining his ADHD.

"Mental health problems are usually not something you can physically see, so you might assume that ADHD is purely psychological, not something which shows up on a scan," he tweeted.

"But the type I have can actually be seen. I have lower blood flow to the front of the brain, the part called the pre-frontal cortex.

"If you look at my scan it looks a bit like there is a hole at the front of my brain.

"It initially made me think that some of my brain was missing, like I had half a brain – that would explain a lot."

He continued: "In many ways I like having ADHD. I have an impulsiveness and a love of life – every day I wake up and feel like I’m about to have the best day of my life.’