Britain's Got Talent star Mike Newall is recovering in hospital after suffering a brain haemorrhage. The 45-year-old comedian, who appeared on the ITV talent show in 2020, became suddenly ill while on a family holiday in Wales with his wife and two children.
He had to be raced to the nearest accident and emergency department after falling "seriously ill," according to his wife Nico. He was later transferred to a specialist hospital in Liverpool, where scans revealed the brain haemorrhage.
Nico shared the news on Instagram alongside a photograph of Mike on the beach in Wales with their son and daughter, taken moments before he collapsed. "How life can change in the blink of an eye," she wrote. "Moments after this photo was taken, Mike suddenly became seriously ill. We called an ambulance, but it was quicker for me to drive him 40 minutes to the nearest hospital, all while my brave, funny man battled the most unbearable pain."
"He was quickly blue-lighted to a specialist hospital in Liverpool after scans showed a brain haemorrhage," Nico continued. "We were told to prepare for the worst, and so began the most agonising night of our lives. Thankfully, the bleed stopped."
Britain's Got Talent is a long-running ITV talent competition that has aired since 2007, giving performers of all kinds, including comedians like Newall, a national platform.
Nico's Instagram Update
"Even in the face of the worst, he remained so calm and positive," Nico wrote. "I'm so relieved to say that things have improved. His pain is being managed, his stats are improving every day and he is doing amazingly well."
She said Mike still had "a long road of recovery ahead," with doctors continuing to monitor risks "round the clock over the next couple of weeks." "We're feeling so much more hopeful today and just praying that he continues to make progress and makes a full recovery," she added.
Nico thanked well-wishers for their support. "We honestly can't thank everyone enough for the prayers, messages, calls, love and support. We've been completely overwhelmed by everyone's kindness. It has meant the absolute world to us." She added that she had been "in tears all day" at the generosity of the comedy community, calling it "testament to what a incredible guy Mike is."
GoFundMe Appeal
Following the news, Mike's friends set up a GoFundMe page calling on the comedy community to help support the family financially while he recovers. The fundraiser had already surpassed £10,000 in donations within a day of being launched.
"Hi all, it's time for us to step up and help one of our own," the fundraiser's description reads. "Our mate Mike Newall fell poorly while on holiday in Wales and has been rushed to hospital in the North West with a brain haemorrhage."
"It's obviously a serious condition, but he's in good hands and we're all wishing him a speedy recovery," it continues. "Mike's going to be out of action and unable to work for a good while, so let's take some of the financial pressure off him and his family."
The organisers added a lighter note, joking that scans had "confirmed" doctors found "17 brain cells," adding: "Here's hoping he'll talk a bit faster after all this is over." The appeal ended with the message: "Let's get behind Mike, his family and show him how much the comedy community cares. Give him 10 points."
