Laura Woods appeared to suddenly collapse live on air during ITV’s coverage of England Women’s clash with Ghana on Tuesday evening, sending shockwaves through viewers watching at home.
The presenter had been fronting the ITV4 broadcast from Southampton when she unexpectedly fell forward and had to be caught by Ian Wright and former England defender Anita Asante. The dramatic moment unfolded without warning, prompting producers to immediately cut away from the live shot.
Although the cameras swiftly switched, audio continued briefly, capturing a visibly concerned Wright asking, “Are you OK?” just moments before the programme was sent into an emergency ad break.
When coverage resumed, it was confirmed that Woods had been replaced by stand-in presenter Katie Shanahan, who stepped in alongside Wright and Asante to continue the broadcast. Addressing viewers, Shanahan explained that Woods had been ‘taken ill’.
“As you’ve probably noticed, we don’t have the wonderful Laura Woods because she’s just been taken ill,” she told audiences. “But she’s in very good hands, so I’m stepping in at late notice.”
Woods, 37, later took to social media to reassure her worried fans and confirm that she was recovering. “Gosh, that was a bit weird. Sorry to worry everyone, I’m OK,” she wrote. “The wonderful paramedics at Saints have said it’s probably a virus — I just need a bit of rest and hydration.”
She added: “I’m really embarrassed that happened on TV, but a big thank you to my colleagues at ITV who have really looked after me tonight. And to Wrighty and Neets for catching me. And sorry again.”
Her fiancé Adam Collard also moved quickly to calm speculation, writing on X: “Laura is all OK and with the right people. Thank you for all of your kind messages.”
Support poured in from across the broadcasting world, with TNT Sports posting: “Everyone at TNT Sports would like to send Laura Woods our very best wishes. Get well soon, Woodsy.”
ITV have yet to issue an official statement, and Mail Sport has contacted the broadcaster for comment.
Fans were quick to share their concern online, with one posting: “Hope Laura Woods is OK!” while another added: “Upsetting to see Laura Woods faint. Glad Ian Wright caught her. Speedy recovery.” A third simply wrote: “Hope Laura Woods is alright. Get well soon!”
Woods is a regular fixture on both ITV and TNT Sports, where she also presents coverage of the men’s Champions League. In January, she welcomed a baby boy, Leo, with Collard, taking a short break from broadcasting before returning to screens in April.
Woods and Collard, who rose to fame on Love Island before appearing on Celebrity SAS, went public with their relationship in October 2023. The couple became engaged in September 2024 after Collard proposed during a romantic beach moment in St Ives, Cornwall.
Sharing the news at the time, Laura wrote: “And just like that… You make me happy. Thank you @carbisbayestate — the place we fell in love and now the place we got engaged. You made it so special. What a summer x.”
Collard later described Laura as his “whole world” as he shared snaps from the proposal, writing: “From dates & daiquiris to a fiancé & a sprog on the way — our very own little team. My whole world. Always.”
He previously revealed how their romance began, admitting during an appearance on the Getting Lippy Gossip Show that he had initially slid into her DMs after spotting one of her Instagram stories.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/