ITV viewers quickly took to social media with worry after the news report.
ITV News viewers rushed to social media with worry after presenter Mary Nightingale’s health sparked major concern. The beloved broadcaster, who has been fronting the evening news since 2001, returned to screens on Tuesday (November 10) to provide the latest highlights to viewers across the country. As the journalist reported on David Walliams’ bombshell allegations, the three-year investigation led by ITV and The Guardian, and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s first public outing since the Duchess’ father, Thomas Markle, was arrested on child sex abuse charges.
As the 63-year-old presented the near 40-minute-long programme, one viewer noticed something peculiar and took to X/Twitter, questioning: “Is the newsreader Mary Nightingale ok? Her voice sounds very wobbly, and she sounds breathless tonight.”
Other viewers quickly took to the comments, agreeing and sharing their worry about Mary: “Yep, was definitely struggling; I was surprised that she wasn’t subbed.”
A third noted: “Been like that for a while now; hopefully nothing too serious.”
“Most likely upset at the news today! Empathy for the women in her report,” suggested another. As a fifth chimed in: “That’s what I said! Breathless and wobbly.”
Mary’s ITV report left many concerned (Image: ITV)
As another viewer shared: “She’s been like it for a while now. I hope she’s ok.”
As the programme went on, Mary could be heard taking longer and deeper breaths between sentences as she spoke on the repercussions Walliams is currently facing as a result of their investigation.
Speaking on the government’s response, she said: “Downing Street called the allegations deeply troubling. This afternoon he was dropped by his long-term literary agent, the Labour Party suspended him as a member, and the BBC said it is in the process of removing programmes starring him, including Little Britain.”
Although Mary has never publicly confirmed any serious illnesses or medical conditions affecting her voice, she has opened up about how reporting on emotional news “makes my voice go.”
Mary was reporting on David’s grooming allegations (Image: Getty)
Speaking to Radio Times in 2022, Mary confessed that during the coronavirus pandemic her voice “failed” her while reading out the tragic death figures.
She explained: “I do feel like crying sometimes, but I don’t think it’s helpful. The effort to not cry often makes my voice go.
“During the pandemic, while reading out death figures every day and some of the very sad, difficult stories, my voice slightly failed me sometimes, almost like it didn’t want to say the words.”