The chief correspondent has been left with a “hole in his leg” after catching an infection while reporting in Ukraine.

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The journalist, 51, thanked the NHS as he shared a picture of himself from his hospital bed at the weekend.

Opening up in more detail about what happened, Richard said on Monday evening: “Am grateful for so many kind messages today. It’s all a bit overwhelming.

“Glad to report I’m not at death’s door, and most certainly wasn’t ‘rushed’ to hospital.

“I developed an infection in my leg in Ukraine that didn’t respond to antibiotics. I sought advice from the NHS

“Doctors decided an immediate operation to open up the affected area and clean out the infection was the best course of action.

“I have a big hole, but hopefully nothing nasty left inside. I should be back working soon, but might not return to the frontlines for a while

“Am still a little bemused by all the interest, but if you’ve suddenly discovered my feed for the first time please take a look at our recent GMB Ukraine assignment.

“It’s really important we don’t forget the suffering of people there, much more so than my personal health issues.”

Richard was treated by Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust after returning from reporting on the Ukraine war.

His followers rushed to wish him well and a speedy recovery, in the hope he will be back on TV soon.

The host has worked in broadcasting for over 20 years, having started in 2000.

He joined GMB in 2014, having previously worked for GMTV and Daybreak.

In 2022, Richard was forced to leave Kyiv following a distressing live report, which featured bomb sirens going off around him

Viewers were very concerned for him as he was forced to take cover mid broadcast.

The year before he admitted having “brain freeze” during a report after stumbling over his words.

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