Sandi Toksvig seriously ill in hospital: Bake Off star has pneumonia and is 'struggling to breathe'

TV STAR Sandi Toksvig is seriously ill in hospital with pneumonia.

The 64-year-old, best known for hosting the Great British Bake Off and QI, was due to begin the New Zealand leg of her tour on Sunday, visiting Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland.

But she was forced to cancel them all after being rushed to hospital in Australia with bronchial pneumonia.

It came as a guest from her recent Sydney show explained that the comedian had complained of feeling unwell during her last live appearance, coughing and having difficulty breathing.

Sandi Toksvig has been forced to cancel the New Zealand leg of her tour
Sandi Toksvig/Twitter

A statement on Toksvig’s Twitter account said: “Due to illness, Sandi has cancelled the New Zealand leg of her tour.

“She has been admitted to hospital with bronchial pneumonia while still in Australia and is unable to travel & perform.

“Our main priority is getting her home to the UK as soon as she is well enough.”

Bronchial pneumonia is a type of pneumonia featuring acute inflammation of the bronchi, the two large tubes that carry air from the windpipe to the lungs, and is often accompanied by inflamed patches in the nearby lobules.

The much-loved star has just completed a string of live dates in Australia, visiting cities including Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.

Her show, titled Sandi Toksvig Live!, is described as being “an evening of comedy and curiosities” in which she shares “little known facts” and tells “tall tales” alongside some “really silly jokes”.

Toksvig, who was awarded an MBE for her services to women, became involved in politics in 2015 when she co-founded the Women's Equality Party.

The Danish-British writer and presenter took over from Stephen Fry as host of popular quiz show QI in 2016 and spent 10 years hosting The News Quiz on BBC Radio 4.

Toksvig announced her departure as co-host of Bake Off in January 2020, saying she wanted to focus on other projects.

Little Britain star Matt Lucas was announced as her replacement.

Fans took to social media to wish her well, with one writing: "Wishing Sandi a full and speedy recovery.

"Tell her to make sure she rests, even when she thinks she's better."

The star has been in Australia since November 12, when she told fans she was 'thrilled' to be Down Under.

"Thanks so much for the warm welcome," she said. "Thrilled to be here and looking forward to the rest of the tour!"

When she quit the hit Channel 4 baking show in 2020, Sandi said: "When stepping down from a job, it is quite common for people to say they are doing so in order to spend more time with their family.

Sandi Toksvig with her Great British Bake Off co-presenters
Channel 4

"Unusually, I am departing from The Great British Bake Off so I can spend more time with my other work.

"As my waistline will testify, Bake Off is an all-consuming show.

"Spending time with Prue [Leith], Paul [Hollywood], and Noel [Fielding] has been one of the great pleasures of my life.

"These are friendships which I know will continue beyond the confines of television."