TV presenter Charlie Webster out of coma after bout of malaria

TV presenter Charlie Webster has been brought out of an induced coma in a Rio hospital after contracting a rare strain of malaria.

The 33-year-old Team GB ambassador is on life support after becoming unwell while watching the opening ceremony of the Games. Her mother, brother and manager have flown from Britain to be by her bedside.

The former Sky and ITV sports presenter fell seriously ill on August 6 following a 4,828km charity cycle ride, having arrived in Rio a few days earlier. Webster was admitted to hospital, where doctors initially thought she was dehydrated following the gruelling six-week Ride To Rio challenge. However, her condition deteriorated after she developed a severe bacterial infection complication.

Webster cycled 2,575km from Recife to Rio in 39 days with the widower of breast cancer fundraiser Jane Tomlinson. She seemed in good health when she arrived in the capital on August 4.

The marathon runner shared her frustration with her fans on social media the day after she was admitted to hospital: “6 weeks on the road ends in this. Very rough day, severe dehydration & infection - 2 drips & antibiotics #Rio”.

However, Webster stayed positive, telling fans on August 9: “I’m getting there ... awful few days with serious infection #Rio.” She posted a photo of herself in a hospital bed hooked up to a drip, but smiling.

However, she made no further posts and a statement on her Facebook and Twitter profiles on August 11 revealed her condition had worsened: “On Saturday, 6th August, Charlie became unwell and was admitted to hospital in Rio. What was initially thought as dehydration, caused by her riding to Rio, has since been diagnosed as a severe complication caused by a bacterial infection.”