BBC star rushed to hospital with heart attack minutes before filming

A TV star has shared with fans that he suffered a heart attack just minutes before filming a BBC show. John Cameron, who works on Bargain Hunt, issued a statement on social media.

He told concerned fans that he was rushed to hospital "with sirens blaring" after a blocked artery caused a heart attack. Mr Cameron was taken straight into surgery at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Hampshire where doctors fitted him with a stent.

In a statement, he said: "On a day when junior doctors stage a one day strike over back pay, I would like to pledge my support and say a huge thank you to the St Mary’s hospital drop-in centre, the paramedics ‘Jess’ and ‘Cat’ who transported me to Queen Alexandra Hospital with sirens blaring, and the amazing emergency team in theatre who fitted me with a stent unblocking the artery that caused me to have a heart attack just 10 minutes before I was about to film a BBC Bargain Hunt auction at my firm Nesbits in Southsea.

Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp

POLL: Should the DWP be able to monitor benefit claimants' bank accounts?

"Not sure how many of my 9 lives still remain but I definitely lost one yesterday. To quote the great ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius, ‘we have two lives, the second one begins when you realise you only have one.’

"I will now be switching to a more friendly and renewable light source over the candle I have been burning at both ends! Sorry also to my wife, children, grandchildren, staff and friends for scaring the ‘Eartha Kitt‘ out of them."

He added that he has now given up smoking following the health scare. "Phase 1 of my rehabilitation is no more cigarettes, much less alcohol and more exercise, ie use the gym membership I have been paying for and not using for years!" he said.

Mr Cameron added: "Phase 2 of my rehabilitation is get my scooter and motorcycle back on the road and make time to use them instead of just paying for them and not using them like gym membership!"