A TV host has opened up on fainting during a live Tory leadership debate - saying: “I felt cheated by my own body”.
Kate McCann gave a frank account of her experience that led to Tuesday’s clash between Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss being taken off air.
Tory leader favourite Ms Truss was caught on camera gasping “oh my God” after a loud crash, before both candidates and their protection officers rushed to help.
Writing about her experiences in The Sunday Times, TalkTV Political Editor Ms McCann said “there were no warning signs” before “suddenly my body wasn't where it was supposed to be and someone I couldn't see was asking me my age.”
The TV host said she fell forwards towards the lectern, hitting her neck on the glass and her head on the floor - with colleagues thinking a light had dropped from the ceiling or protesters had burst in.
She wrote: “I felt cheated by my own body, especially as someone fit and healthy who exercises a lot.
“I wanted to stand up and get back behind the podium but the candidates, both fairly shocked by what had happened, had already left the room.”
Ms McCann said “MPs, journalists, friends and colleagues” have since offered their own stories of fainting and she was heartened by their support.
She added her experience had shown the "human side" of Ms Truss.
The next night, she returned to the cameras to host an analysis show of the debate - where the production team hid a chocolate bar and two bags of Skittles under the desk, and topped up her mug with Coca Cola.
Ms McCann previously told followers she was “fine now” and thanked supporters for their “lovely messages”.
She added in a tweet: "Well that wasn't how last night was supposed to end!”
