BBC's Andrew Marr Leaves Hospital Two Months after Stroke

BBC presenter Andrew Marr has been released from hospital almost two months after suffering from a stroke.

The presenter was taken ill on 8 January and tests showed he had had a stroke. However, he will now be continuing his treatment from home, the BBC said.

"Andrew Marr left hospital and continues his rehabilitation at home with his family," a spokeswoman for the BBC said

"He is looking forward to a new regime of physio at home as he prepares for his return to work later this year."

The presenter is married to journalist Jackie Ashley and the couple have three children together.

Marr, 53, is best known for presenting the Sunday morning political programme The Andrew Marr Show and Radio 4's Start the Week.

He joined the BBC as political editor in 2000. Since he was hospitalised, guest presenters have taken the helm of his show.

150,000 strokes every year

After he was diagnosed, the BBC said: "The hospital confirmed he has had a stroke. His doctors say he is responding to treatment.

"His family have asked for their privacy to be respected as he recovers.

"His colleagues and the whole BBC wish him a speedy recovery."

Strokes affect people in different ways and outcomes are largely dependent on how quickly the patient is treated.

Around 150,000 people in the UK suffer from a stroke every year - accounting for one every five minutes.

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. Symptoms of a stroke include numbness, speech problems and weakness of paralysis on one side of the body.

Strokes mainly occur in people over the age of 65, but they can occur at any time, including in children and babies.

Marr is a keen distance runner but he said that in his past he had smoked and had a few years of "hard drinking".