A BBC Radio 5 Live presenter disclosed that he suffered a seizure live on air while covering the World Cup in North America and opened up about his health battles
BBC presenter Steve Crossman has disclosed that he experienced a seizure while broadcasting live from the World Cup.
The Radio 5 Live host travelled to cover the tournament, which is taking place across the US, Canada and Mexico, and has been posting snapshots of his journey on Twitter. Before heading back to the UK, he spoke candidly about his health on social media, just days after announcing that he would be running next year’s London Marathon for the Epilepsy Society in memory of his late sister.
“So, I had a seizure while on air in Mexico not long after arriving at the World Cup,” he wrote. “I stuck it out, inspired by my sister who never let her epilepsy stop her.
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“It’s been tough BUT I’ve been surrounded by amazing @5liveSport friends. (Yes this is another sponsorship plea).”
Supportive messages quickly flooded in from fans, with one follower responding: “Sorry to hear this Steve. You are such an excellent broadcaster and come across as a thoroughly decent bloke. All the best.
“Love listening to you on the radio, I hope you are well and good luck on the marathon next year. You are all doing a brilliant job on the World Cup,” another concurred.
Steve had previously spoken openly about his condition during a 5 Live Breakfast segment in 2024. He revealed that he received his neurological diagnosis in 2013, following his first “proper seizure” the previous year.
“I often say to people, ‘epilepsy is not just seizures’. Seizures are the worst of epilepsy” he said in the clip. “They’re awful, they’re embarrassing and they’re physically very dangerous, but the mental health impacts on people who have epilepsy, and the families of people who have epilepsy, is awful.”
Earlier this week, Steve revealed that he would be tackling the London Marathon next year, aiming to raise funds in tribute to his sister, Jill, who passed away from a seizure in her sleep in 2021.
In a heartfelt post, he outlined his plans to take on the London Marathon next year, determined to raise money in her honour.
“You’ll have to get used to these posts! We lost my amazing sister Jill to her epilepsy and I’m running the 2027 London Marathon for @epilepsysociety,” he posted. “I’m a sufferer myself of this dreadful disease, if you can spare a couple of quid it’d mean the world.”
On his fundraising page, he wrote: “I have epilepsy and my sister Jill died from Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) in 2021. She was one of the most resilient people I’ve ever known and if she could find the bravery to live amongst polar bears in Alaska during her amazing life then I think I should be able to plod my way round London!
“Any donation you can give will help the Epilepsy Society to continue their incredible work and will spur me on throughout my training!”.