Ray Hadley gives update from hospital bed as it’s revealed infection has spread

Listeners were concerned on Monday after 2GB host Ray Hadley was forced off air during his regular morning radio show due to a medical emergency. The radio star revealed live on-air that he was suffering from another painful bout of diverticulitis, before finishing his show early to rush off to the doctors.

It was later confirmed that Hadley had been admitted to hospital for treatment for the condition, which sees small pockets called diverticula appearing in the wall of the bowel. People with the condition can experience a range of symptoms including abdominal pain, fever, nausea and a change in bowel habits.

Taking some time to rest is one form of alleviating the symptoms, along with a low-fibre diet and antibiotics. However, in more severe cases time in hospital is required and even surgery.

At the time, Ray told fans he was hoping to be back in the studio on Wednesday, however that was not possible. And now, just two days since he was admitted, Macquarie Media have provided an update on Ray’s condition, revealing that the 64-year-old is still being treated in hospital, revealing that the infection has spread to his blood which is why he has not yet been discharged.

“Ray was admitted to hospital on Monday after another attack of diverticulitis,” the statement, shared on the station’s website, read. “It’s a painful condition that has required treatment in hospital.

“Unfortunately the infection is now in his blood, so Ray will remain in hospital for now. His specialist is confident the problem can be managed with continuing treatment. Ray sends his thanks to his listeners for their support and well-wishes, and will provide an update on his condition later this week.”

Fellow 2GB star Mark Levy stepped in on Monday, following Ray’s on-air attack of ill health, and it was confirmed today that the 64-year-old former AFL star will continue to fill in for Ray until he is fit and able to return to work.

Another update was shared on the ‘Ray Hadley Morning Show’ Facebook page on Monday, alongside an adorable photo of Ray lying in a hospital bed with his young granddaughter Ava sitting on his lap. The post read: “Ray remains in hospital battling his latest bout of diverticulitis. He’s getting the best care possible and will spend the remainder of the week getting the rest he needs. In the meantime, someone wanted to check on her Poppy to make sure he was doing ok.”

Fans were quick to send their best wishes to Ray too, with one writing on social media: “Definitely wishing you a speedy recovery and resolution – and imagine this little person, together with Noah, are some of the best medicine.”

Another said: “She is so adorable. Sending you lots of strength and love for a speedy recovery Ray.” While a third wrote: That is most definitely a little RAY of sunshine, grand children have great medicinal powers.”

The concerning emergency comes just a matter of months after Hadley revealed he was forced to spend a weekend in hospital hooked up to a drip after falling ill with the condition with no warning signs whatsoever. At the time he called his fellow presenters Mark Levy, Bob Fulton, Darryl Brohman and Erin Molan from his hospital bed revealing he suffers from diverticulitis.

“It’s a rotten sort of thing… and there’s no cure,” he explained on air. Ray said he began feeling unwell on the Friday, having felt “on top of the world” just minutes beforehand – and luckily he knew straight away that he needed to get to hospital.

“Most people out there who suffer with it like I do will know exactly what I’m talking about,” he said. “It’s in the bowel and strikes you within minutes, and I got an attack last night and ended up on a drip here in hospital.”

He went on: “Yesterday I was on top of the world feeling really good, and about 10 minutes later I hit the deck… with a whole range of stomach pains and things like that. Then you recover from the original attack and what happens is, when I had it last time two years ago, I just thought I had bad gastric flu. I thought I was okay, stayed home for two days off work, and then eventually went into hospital because the infection took hold.”