TV legend John ‘Burgo’ Burgess discharged from hospital

Australian television icon John ‘Burgo’ Burgess has been discharged from hospital after spending a week battling a bacterial infection and blood poisoning.

The former Burgo’s Catch Phrase host was taken to the Intensive Care Unit of the Royal Perth Hospital on , February 2 after becoming lightheaded.

After receiving the all-clear from medical staff, Burgess walked out of the hospital on February 8 and told waiting reporters from Nine news that the health scare had been a “wake up call.”

“From the condition I arrived when I was in last Tuesday, to what I am in today, you wouldn’t recognise me as the same person,” he said.

“I don’t mind telling you, it’s been a bit of a fright, not just for me but my beautiful wife, Jan, who’s been fantastic.”

Burgess also provided a quick update for fans who are eager to see him return to his radio presenter gig with Perth station 6iX.

“I’m hoping to be back on the radio on Saturday but we will have to wait and see. I’m going home now with my fiercest critic my wife, so she’ll be in charge,” he said.

Ever loyal to his fanbase, Burgess took to Twitter on February 5 to give his fans an update on his health battle.

Sorry I couldn’t TGIF everybody; I am in Royal Perth Hospital with a serious bacterial infection leading to blood poisoning but the good folk here have got me on the road to recovery lets talk next week (TGIS)

— John Burgess (@thejohnburgess) February 5, 2022

Burgess’s manager Evan Broadway recently revealed to The West Australian newspaper that the iconic television host was still keen to work despite his illness.

“He wanted to work Saturday, and we said ‘nah mate have the weekend off, just take the day off,’” he said.

“But that’s just how loyal he is to his listeners.”

Burgess is best known for his long-running stint as presenter of the popular game show Wheel of Fortune alongside Adriana Xenides from 1984 to 1996. He later hosted the Australian version of Catchphrase for channel Nine, later renamed Burgo’s Catch Phrase.