McCririck convalesces at home (From Burnley and Pendle Citizen)

McCririck convalesces at home

11:45am Friday 15th March 2013 in National Entertainment News © Press Association 2013

John McCririck will have to watch today's Cheltenham Gold Cup race on television after being released from hospital.

The racing pundit and former Celebrity Big Brother star, 72, known for his distinctive sideburns and deerstalker hat, is convalescing at home after being detained in Cheltenham General Hospital.

He complained of feeling unwell during the first day of the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday and was taken to hospital by ambulance.

The former Channel 4 pundit had said earlier this week that he planned on returning to Prestbury Park to watch the highlight of the four-day national hunt festival. But after being released from hospital he has returned home to recover.

McCririck's agent Patsy Martin said: "John is resting today. He is not going racing today and the next race meeting he will be attending will be Doncaster on Saturday week."

In January Channel 4 dropped McCririck from its racing coverage when it unveiled its new presenting team, headed by Clare Balding.

The star announced he was to sue the broadcaster for £3 million, claiming it axed him from its racing coverage because he was too old.

His wife Jenny told the Daily Mirror she believed the stress from a continuing disagreement with his former employer caused his illness.

She told the newspaper: "Look at the stress from Channel 4. He was perfectly OK, he had a check-up two weeks ago, but Channel 4 have done this to him."