London, December 06, 2025
Laura Woods, ITV sports presenter, collapsed live on air during the pre-match coverage of the England Women’s friendly against Ghana at St Mary’s Stadium, after being taken ill. Immediate medical attention was provided, and she has since been diagnosed with a likely viral infection requiring rest and hydration.
During ITV’s live broadcast ahead of the England Women’s team match, Woods stumbled forward and collapsed while presenting pitchside. Fellow pundits Ian Wright and Anita Asante acted promptly to catch and support her, preventing her from falling to the ground. ITV quickly cut to a commercial break to allow medical staff to attend to Woods.
When the broadcast resumed, colleague Katie Shanahan informed viewers that Woods had been “taken ill” and was receiving medical care. The prompt response by her colleagues and the professional handling by the production team ensured the situation was managed with care and discretion.
Following the incident, Woods provided an update via her Instagram Story, describing the event as “a bit weird” but reassuring followers that she was “OK.” She attributed her collapse to a probable virus, as confirmed by paramedics on site, and emphasized the need for rest and hydration. Woods also expressed embarrassment about the incident and publicly thanked her ITV colleagues and Wright and Asante for their swift support during the episode.
Her fiancé, Adam Collard, further reassured the public through social media, confirming Woods was “all OK and with the right people.” Both statements helped to alleviate concerns among viewers and the wider football community about her well-being.
Laura Woods is an established sports presenter for ITV and TNT Sports, known for her comprehensive coverage of both men’s and women’s football events. ITV and the England Women’s Football team, commonly known as the Lionesses, issued public messages on social media wishing her a speedy recovery and expressing support.
The match itself concluded with a 2–0 victory for England, featuring goals from Lucia Kendall and a late penalty by Alessia Russo. However, the coverage remained strongly focused on Woods’ health incident during the live broadcast.
This live on-air medical episode attracted significant attention across media platforms, underscoring the unpredictable nature of live sports broadcasting and the physical demands placed on presenters. Woods’ transparent and measured response has been well received, highlighting the importance of prioritizing health and safety even in high-pressure live environments.