TV presenter Charlie Webster brought out of coma after being taken ill in Rio

Television sports presenter Charlie Webster, who was taken ill with malaria in Rio, Brazil, has been brought out of her medically induced coma. The TV presenter, who has worked for BBC, ITV, Sky Sports and Channel 4m had left the UK for a 3,000-mile charity cycle ride to Brazil in June 2016.

The 33-year-old became ill after watching the Olympic opening ceremony and was initially diagnosed with dehydration from the six-week ride to the Brazilian city.

But, complications following a bacterial infection, caused by a rare form of malaria, left her in a Brazilian hospital in an induced coma.

She remains in intensive care on a dialysis machine as her kidneys are not responding to treatment and is being supported by a respirator. But doctors are said to be "very happy with Charlie's neurological results" and her manager told the BBC she is now out of her five-day coma.

Her mother said that the fact Charlotte is now conscious is "amazing" and her management has said she has been speaking to her family.

"Charlotte knows she nearly died," her mother said in a statement. "She mouthed to me earlier, 'look at all the machines keeping me alive'.

"Charlotte is really strong but as the doctors keep reminding me, everyone heals differently. I am just so thankful that she's able to communicate with us again.

"It's been the worst imaginable time - we have been beside ourselves with worry but the fact Charlotte is now conscious is amazing. Knowing Charlotte, the thing she'll be most annoyed about is that she's missed the Olympics."

Her management said Charlie, who has completed 10 marathons as well as Iromman competitions, asked her family "Have you been to the beach?"

A spokeswoman for the presenter said: "Charlie's family and friends have been incredibly touched by the overwhelming support and love shown to Charlie today. Their main focus now is for Charlie to be stable enough to fly back to the UK."

She fell unconscious and was placed into a coma on 11 August after completing the 'Ride to Rio' which left the UK on 27 June. Averaging around 90 miles a day, with only one rest day per week, she arrived at the Maracanã stadium on 4 August.

The epic ride marked the 10-year anniversary of a cycle ride undertaken by fundraiser Jane Tomlinson who died in 2007 after raising almost £2m for charity.