QI host Sandi Toksvig has been admitted to hospital in Australia with bronchial pneumonia. The 64-year-old was due to begin the New Zealand leg of her tour on Sunday, but dates in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland have now been cancelled.
Toksvig, also known for her stint co-hosting the Great British Bake Off and Radio 4's the News Quiz, will return to the UK as soon as she is well enough to travel, a statement released via her Twitter account said. It read: Due to illness, Sandi has cancelled the New Zealand leg of her tour.
"She has been admitted to hospital with bronchial pneumonia while still in Australia and is unable to travel & perform. Our main priority is getting her home to the UK as soon as she is well enough."
Bronchial pneumonia is a type of pneumonia featuring acute inflammation of the bronchi, which carry air from the windpipe to the lungs. It is often accompanied by inflamed patches in the nearby lobules.
Toksvig had just completed the Australia leg of her tour, having played dates in cities including Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Her show, titled Sandi Toksvig Live!, is described as being “an evening of comedy and curiosities” in which she shares “little known facts” and tells “tall tales” alongside some “really silly jokes”.
Toksvig announced her departure as co-host of Bake Off in January 2020, saying she wanted to focus on other projects. Little Britain star Matt Lucas was announced as her replacement, joining Noel Fielding to present from inside the Channel 4 show’s tent.
