Andrew Marr 'responding to treatment' following stroke

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2013/jan/11/andrew-marr-responding-treatment-stroke-bbc

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The BBC presenter Andrew Marr is conscious and "responding to medication" while "continuing to progress" as he recovers in hospital following a stroke, the broadcaster has said.

He is said to be speaking to his family and showing positive signs of recovering after spending a third night in hospital.

The 53-year-old journalist and television presenter was taken ill on Tuesday and rushed to hospital for treatment which can be critical in the first few days after a stroke.

He has been receiving well wishes from many colleagues including the BBC's political editor Nick Robinson and Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine.

A BBC spokesman said: "Andrew Marr is responding to medication and continuing to progress. He is conscious and eating. He and his family are touched by all the warm wishes and support flooding in."

The presenter is married to journalist Jackie Ashley and has three children.

Robinson tweeted: "Excellent news that Andy Marr is conscious and continuing to make progress after his stroke. All thoughts with him, Jackie and his family."

Vine tweeted: "Thinking of my friend of Andrew Marr and hoping he gets better soon."

Marr's stroke has shocked many of his colleagues – he was considered fit and enjoyed long-distance running. In an interview last year, Marr spoke of "utter exhaustion" after "two years, about two dozen countries, a blue and daze of airports and hundreds of thousands of words".

The corporation has said it will continue to broadcast The Andrew Marr Show and Radio 4's Start The Week with guest presenters in his absence.

The next edition of Marr's BBC Radio 4 programme Start the Week on Monday will be presented by journalist Anne McElvoy, who also fronts BBC Radio 3's Night Waves.

The following week's programme, on 21 January, will be presented by Independent columnist and broadcaster Tom Sutcliffe.

The BBC said Marr's BBC1 Sunday morning programme, The Andrew Marr Show, would be presented by James Landale on Sunday. It will subsequently be fronted by other guest presenters, the BBC said.

Marr began his career as a newspaper reporter, becoming the editor of the Independent before turning to television.

He has also presented a number of history programmes along with his politics show and has had five books published.

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