GMB viewers stunned by Dr Hilary’s real age as he celebrates milestone birthday
GOOD Morning Britain stalwart Dr Hilary Jones is celebrating a milestone birthday today – and viewers can’t believe it.
The TV doctor has turned 70 and his colleagues Richard Madeley, Susanna Reid, Richard Arnold and Ranvir Singh all paid tribute on today’s show.
“I want what he’s having,” chuckled Susanna, prompting Hilary to joke: “Make-up is brilliant these days, hides all the wrinkles and everything.”
The doctor said he feels “fantastic” and has no plans to slow down.
He continued: “Looking forward to running my next marathon. Ninety-eight is the oldest man to run a marathon so there’s life in the old dog yet.”
Richard then said: “You do not look 70, mate.”
The programme took a look at Hilary’s first TV appearance 30 years ago, alongside Lorraine Kelly, before showing a montage of clips from throughout his TV career.
One viewer wrote: “Dr Hilary looks younger now than he does in that compilation!”
Another said: “Happy Birthday Dr Hilary, living ledge! What a life, I love the old photos! I used to have such a teenage crush, on your pic in your NOTW Sunday magazine column :-).”
Saracens and Wales rugby union star Nick Tompkins, 28, surprised Hilary as a studio guest. The sportsman’s mum Debbie joined via video call and explained how she used Dr Hilary’s tumbler test to spot that Nick had meningitis as a six year old.
The method, which involves rolling a glass over a rash on the skin to see if it disappears under pressure, could potentially have saved Nick’s life.
Debbie said: “It was actually him [Dr Hilary] doing the tumbler test that really helped me to make sure that I got a diagnosis.
“I actually went to the doctors with Nick, having picked him up from school, and because he had one spot, and they said it was chicken pox. But we came home and he had a fit and I just kept doing The tumbler test and in the end we got into hospital and they really fought for him because his limbs had gone ice-cold, both hands and feet as well, so he was very near to not being with us.”
Nick added: “I didn’t appreciate it until a little bit later in my life. But obviously when you hear my mum speaking, and what you did, it’s really lovely to be able to meet you.”
There was also a special happy birthday message from former Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England Sir Jonathan Van-Tam, who praised Hilary for his work during the coronavirus pandemic.
He said: “You’ve been a great communicator on the subject of health for many years, and you’re a great colleague during the pandemic. Have a wonderful day.”