BBC Sport F1 host Jennie Gow ‘delighted and nervous’ as she announces return eight months after terrifying stroke
BBC Sport Formula One broadcaster Jennie Gow has described her herself as “delighted and a little nervous” after revealing she is returning to the paddock.
Gow, a fan favourite thanks to her exploits on Netflix‘s Drive to Survive F1 series, revealed in January she had suffered a “serious stroke”.
But, eight months on from the traumatic ordeal, she has now confirmed she will be making a remarkable comeback at the Dutch Grand Prix at the end of August.
Taking to Twitter, Gow shared the incredible news with fans.
She wrote: “I’m delighted (and a little nervous) to say that I will be returning to the F1 circuit for the Dutch GP.
“It’s been almost eight months since my stroke and I’m still not able to do all the things I could before, but @IMG, @bbc5live and @F1 are going to help me get back into the pit lane to see how I go.
“My lovely therapists are supporting me and continue to remind me ‘I’m a work in progress and not the finished article’. So, please bear with me, mind the gaps and wish me luck.”
In May, Gow appeared alongside her husband, Jamie Coley, in a film on BBC‘s The One Show explaining her experience.
In the short film, she began by recounting her career as an F1 reporter before saying: “But then my life changed dramatically.
“At 45, I suffered a serious stroke. And I’ve spent the last few months learning to walk, and more significantly, to talk again.
“Just after Christmas I got sick, it wasn’t Covid, but I had a terrible cough and then my husband Jamie found me collapsed in the bathroom.”
Jamie then revealed the panic which set over him at the time.
He said: “I was trying to call your name and get you to speak to me and I was just getting nothing back from you. It was the worst moment of my life.”
Upon hearing his response, Gow could not hold back her emotions and broke down into tears.
In her return announcement post, she reserved special praise for Sky Sports F1 for the support they provided Jamie with.
She added: “So many people to thank but at this point, I’ll just say a special thank you to @skysportf1 who have been supportive of my husband and me – I can’t thank them and their generosity enough.
It’s been almost eight months since my stroke and I’m still not able to do all the things I could before, but @IMG, @bbc5live and @F1 are going to help me get back into the pit lane to see how I go.
Jennie Gow
“I can’t wait to be back on your radio. I’ve missed it so much. Speak to you on Thursday!”
Gow’s daughter, Isabel, was described as a “superstar” by Jamie, with the six-year-old rushing to grab some pillows and put them under her mothers head before passing the phone to him.
After being rushed to Frimley Park hospital and receiving “very prompt” treatment, Gow later posted a message on social media.
She wrote: “Hi everyone, been quiet the last few weeks, this is because I suffered a serious stroke two weeks ago.
“My husband is helping me type this, as I’m finding it hard to write and my speech is most affected.
“I’m desperate to make a full recovery and return to work but it might take some time.
“Thank you to the medical teams at Frimley and St George’s and my family and friends who’ve got me through the last fortnight X.”
Dr Thomas Pain, one of Gow’s consultants, appeared in the video to explain how her stroke was caused.
He said: “The majority of strokes are caused by a blockage in a blood vessel which supplies the brain.
“Your stroke was caused by a clot from the carotid artery, in the neck, a tear in the blood vessel due to coughing and a viral infection you had at the time.
“That clot flew up the vessel, causing the stroke on the left side of the brain.”
After being transferred to a specialist unit at St Georges’ in London, Gow had her clot successfully removed before any significant damage was caused.
In terms of the F1 season, Max Verstappen and Red Bull have dominated, not giving Lewis Hamilton a look in for race wins.
Indeed, prior to the mid-season break – which has seen stars jet off around the globe – Verstappen has won eight races in a row.
And he will have the chance to extend his streak and equal Sebastian Vettel‘s 2013 record of nine at his home Grand Prix next weekend.
Complete F1 2023 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year