Richard Bacon shares adorable picture after being reunited with children as he gears up to leave hospital

Richard Bacon was today reunited with his children as he prepared to leave hospital after coming out of a coma.

The 42-year-old, who was suddenly struck down with a double chest infection, was joined by Arthur, six, and Ivy, four, ahead of his discharge from Lewisham hospital.

Sharing a picture of his children lying beside him in the hospital bed, he wrote: “Final day visitors. Kept them away when on Life Support. Not my best look.”

The former Blue Peter presenter became ill on a flight from the US with suspected pneumonia.

He was later put into a coma to allow his body to fight the infection.

Earlier this week, Bacon shared a touching tribute to his wife for being by his side during the process.

The TV presenter posted a picture of himself holding Rebecca’s hand as he thanked his wife for her support in the wake of the “worry” he caused.

“Last full day in hospital,” he tweeted. “Every facet of my life would be worse without Rebecca in it. How will I ever thank her?

“I was in a coma for nine or ten nights (I just learned). That’s a lot of staring at your husband and his pipes. And a lot of worry.”

On Monday Bacon posted on social media saying he had “nearly died”.

As he prepared to leave hospital, he said: “Cleared for take-off. Gone within the hour.

“I don’t know whether I see this as the bed I nearly died in or the bed that saved my life. Either way. I won’t miss it. But I will miss the 50 staff of Lewisham Hospital who definitely saved my life. Every. Single. One. Of. Them. #VivaTheNHS.”