Clive Myrie has been under scrutiny recently after it was revealed he hadn’t declared his earnings outside of the BBC, as reported by The Independent. Indeed, the presenter allegedly earned at least £65,000 from corporate events outside of his role as a BBC News presenter.
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The presenter apologised. Despite the backlash, viewers were concerned for his health on Monday, January 9, when he presented BBC One’s News at 6.
BBC viewers concerned over Clive Myrie's health
When presenting BBC One’s News at 6, Clive Myrie sparked health concerns among viewers after he was seen with a droopy left eye. As a result, viewers took to social media to express their concerns.
One user even questioned whether or not Clive had recently had a stroke. They wrote on X - formerly Twitter:
Just noticed that Clive Myrie has a slight droop in his left eyelid. Has that always been there, or has he had a stroke recently?
Another wrote:
@BBCNews is Clive Myrie OK? His left eye is droopy??
Shortly after viewers expressed their concern, Clive released a statement on X to reassure the public.
Clive Myrie responds to viewers' concern
Clive Myrie quickly responded to the growing concern over his health on social media. Indeed, the BBC presenter shared that he was fine and his droopy eye was ‘nothing serious, just an infection’.
He then joked that he wanted to present the News at 6 wearing an eyepatch, but the boss wasn’t on board. He wrote:
Happy New Year, everyone, and thank you all for your concern over my left eye. It’s nothing serious, just an infection. I did think about wearing an eye patch, but the boss said no! A bit like Long John Silver. He wasn’t having any of it! Cheers.
Viewers then responded to Clive’s statement with relief that his droopy eye wasn’t something more serious. One X user also joked that he should have worn the eyepatch as it is ‘panto season’ (pantomime season).
Oh, come on, why not go in full pirate garb? It is panto season, after all 😉 (glad all's well, mind you)
Moreover, Dr Alasdair Scott, a science director at Selph, explained to Surrey Live the condition Clive was likely suffering from. He said the drooping of the eyelid was caused by ‘ptosis’ and can occur for several reasons.
As reported by Surrey Live, ptosis is also known as blepharoptosis. The condition can be present from birth due to the development of the muscles that raise the eyelid.
However, according to Dr Scott, the condition is more common in older people. He explained that ptosis affects one in five adults over the age of 70.
As we age, the skin and muscles around the eyes stretch and weaken, causing drooping of the eyelid. Up to one in five adults over the age of 70 have some degree of ptosis. This is by far the most common cause of ptosis.
Finally, relating to Clive Myrie’s case, Dr Scott explained that ptosis can develop following anything that causes swelling around the eye, such as trauma or an infection.
Anything that causes swelling around the eye – such as trauma or infection – can lead to ptosis. Common eye infections include conjunctivitis, a chalazion, or a stye.
Read more:
Elton John reveals he has 'lost his eyesight' following infection
Sources used:
Surrey Live: ‘BBC News' Clive Myrie in fresh health battle over condition that affects millions of Brits’
The Independent: ‘Clive Myrie reassures concerned BBC viewers after eye ‘droops’ during news broadcast’
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