Television presenter Charlie Webster “nearly died” after falling ill with a rare strain of malaria at the opening ceremony of the Olympics, according to her mother, shortly after completing a 3,000 mile charity ride to make it to the games.

At first, doctors treating the 33-year-old from Sheffield thought she was suffering from exhaustion and dehydration when she felt unwell and started vomiting at the event a fortnight ago.

But over the following few days, Webster’s health sharply deteriorated and her family said that she fell unconscious last Thursday, although news of the seriousness of her condition only publicly emerged a week later.

The presenter – who has worked for Sky Sports and ITV – remains seriously ill with kidney failure, but has been taken out of an induced coma and can speak to family members by her bedside, according to a family statement.

Charlie’s mother Joy said: “Charlotte knows she nearly died, she mouthed to me earlier ‘look at all the machines keeping me alive’. Charlotte is really strong but as the doctors keep reminding me, everyone heals differently. I am just so thankful that she’s able to communicate with us again.

“It’s been the worst imaginable time – we have been beside ourselves with worry, but the fact Charlotte is now conscious is amazing. Knowing Charlotte, the thing she’ll be most annoyed about is that she’s missed the Olympics.

“She will be especially gutted not to have seen Nicola Adams fight today (Thursday) – there’s a TV on the wall, so hopefully she can at least watch the women’s boxing final”.

Just hours before hospitalisation, Webster had tweeted about the “goosebumps” she felt attending the opening of the Olympics.

Webster, who was due to have been a presenter at the Olympics, was put in a medically induced coma last Friday after her breathing became laboured and she was unable to breath unsupported.

On Thursday, doctors said they are “very happy” with her “neurological results” suggesting she has not suffered any brain damage. However they cautioned that her kidneys were “still not responding to treatment and she remains on dialysis.”

Brazil should be proud! This is incredible... atmosphere goosebumps! Can't wait to see @TeamGB #BringOnTheGreat pic.twitter.com/6RtBS677Po — Charlie Webster (@CharlieCW) August 5, 2016

When Webster first fell ill, she said that she still expected a speedy recovery and initially posted updates about her health on social media before the seriousness of her illness became apparent.

6 weeks on the road ends in this. Very rough day, severe dehydration & infection - 2 drips & antibiotics #Rio pic.twitter.com/6tTwY99eNP — Charlie Webster (@CharlieCW) August 7, 2016

She had been due to stay on in the city as part of Team GB’s Great Britons campaign alongside DJ Nick Grimshaw and model Jodie Kidd.

She remained positive telling followers three days later that she was improving.

I'm getting there...awful few days with serious infection #Rio pic.twitter.com/ZvZxIRiGNp — Charlie Webster (@CharlieCW) August 9, 2016

Webster had cycled to Rio in memory of athlete Jane Tomlinson, who died 10 years ago of cancer. Together with widower Mike Tomlinson, she set off 39 days ago on the first leg of the Ride To Rio challenge on 27 June, cycling 1,300 miles (2,092km) from London to Lisbon. They cycled 90 miles (145km) a day with only one rest day each week before arriving at the Maracana stadium on 4 August.

Her mother flew to Brazil to be at her daughter’s bedside, but the last time she saw her conscious was last Thursday.

Webster remains in intensive care and on a respirator. She was taken out of her coma gradually while tests were conducted on her cognitive functions.

An hour or so after having the endotracheal tube removed on Thursday, Webster was able to whisper to her mother. “I can’t believe you have been here all week”.

Later on she looked at her mother and whispered “Have you been to the beach?”

Her family have thanked the public for all their support and said their priority was to get her “stable enough to fly back to the UK.”

The Ride To Rio campaign wished Webster a speedy recovery via Twitter, describing her as a “tough lady”.

Webster is no stranger to feats of endurance, having ridden the three UK stages of the 2014 Tour de France for charity, as well as completing her first Ironman triathlon in 2015.



A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are providing support to a British woman who is in hospital in Rio.”