LBC presenter Andrew Marr sparked concern as he appeared overwhelmed and emotional during his live radio show, with fans voicing their worries on social media
Fans were concerned about Andrew’s wellbeing
Andrew Marr sparked concern for his wellbeing after he appeared to break down and panic during a live radio broadcast.
The esteemed 66-year-old broadcaster, who is one of the nation’s most respected political journalists, now hosts on LBC after leaving the BBC in 2021 to pursue his own projects. During his prime time radio show, Tonight with Andrew Marr, last night, an alarming incident took place.
Marr appeared visibly distressed and emotional as he tried to deliver a series of news bulletins to his listeners. Around 6.30pm, he relayed the day’s top stories in a noticeably emotional state, which he did not comment on.
He informed listeners: “Now, something momentous I need to take the time to tell you about.”
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He continued: “The winners of the Global Player Awards 2025 have been announced. And I’m speaking as the only white man, I think, in the west of – in the south of England without my own podcast. But the News Agents wins best podcast show and is most listened to.”
Andrew struggled to articulate his words and sounded on the brink of tears as he praised the Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel led podcast, which is owned by Andrew’s employer Global. He tried to brush off his emotional outburst as he moved onto US news. Sticking to the script, he told listeners: “Well, if at this point you’re looking for something to cheer you up, can I suggest that you reflect that at least you’re not in prison in Alabama.”
As the audio continued, the broadcaster sounded increasingly frantic. His severe breathlessness and voice breaking prompted serious alarm amongst listeners. Andrew’s distressing broadcast left fans so concerned for his wellbeing that numerous people shared their concerns on social media. One X user, who shared screen-recorded clips from the radio programme, posted: “Andrew Marr today around 6:30 Can’t stand his politics but this was upsetting to listen to. Hope he’s ok.”
Countless other users weighed in on the troubling footage, questioning why the broadcaster was permitted to continue presenting in such a condition. One user replied: “You would have thought his producer might have stepped in at that stage as he’s already had a major stroke. “Another worried listener added: “He has had a stroke before. Do hope they had medics there quickly.”
Some have even demanded the radio presenter be removed from broadcasting duties to allow proper recovery time.
“That sounds like a significant health issue. He should probably abandon live broadcasting”, one X user commented.
The LBC presenter has previously discussed the devastating consequences of his 2013 stroke, caused by a torn carotid artery. His spouse, fellow journalist Jackie Ashley, took nine months out of work to care for him after he was left partially paralysed. Speaking to the Radio Times in 2017, Andrew – who was 53 when he suffered his stroke – revealed: “I was very lucky with Jackie because she had grown up from when she was young with a father who was deaf.”
“You might think she has had the worst luck of all, having looked after her father [former Labour MP Jack Ashley]. When this happens to me. But she has been very good about shepherding me through the process.”
But The Mirror can reveal Marr is absolutely fine aside from suffering from a heavy cold. A source who works with Marr told the Mirror: “Andrew has had a stinking cold all week. He finished the show and is fine and will be back on air on Monday.”
Undated handout photo issued by Global of Andrew Marr in the LBC studio in London. The veteran journalist has announced that he is leaving the BBC after 21 years. The 62 year old said he would now focus on writing and presenting political and cultural shows for the media company Global and writing for newspapers. Issue date: Friday November 19, 2021. PA Photo. See PA story MEDIA Marr. Photo credit should read: Jeff Moore/Global/PA Wire
NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Marr was due to be off air today anyway, as Tonight with Andrew Marr is on LBC Monday – Thursday from 6-7pm. The three day weekend will hopefully give him time to rest up and sound more like his usual self next week.
Concerns from fans for former BBC veteran Marr were genuine and also reflect the fact he suffered a stroke in 2013.
In November 2021 he announced he was leaving the BBC to “get his voice back” and host a more opinion led show. He had joined the broadcaster as political editor in 2000 and presented a Sunday morning programme from 2005-2021. Born in Glasgow, Marr, 53, began his career in journalism on The Scotsman newspaper in 1981, later moving to London to become its political correspondent.
He was part of the team which launched The Independent in 1986, later becoming its editor. He joined the BBC as political editor, in May 2000.
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