Southampton, UK - ITV presenter Laura Woods was "taken ill" after an apparent collapse live on air during the pre-match coverage of the Lionesses' international friendly against Ghana at St Mary's Stadium on Tuesday evening. The incident occurred as Woods, 38, was anchoring the show alongside pundits Ian Wright and Anita Asante.
As Woods was opening the coverage, she suddenly fell forward. Arsenal legend Ian Wright and former professional footballer Anita Asante swiftly reacted, catching Woods before she fell completely. The broadcast was then immediately cut to an extended commercial break.
Upon returning from the break, viewers noticed that Woods had been replaced by Katie Shanahan, who addressed the situation. Shanahan informed viewers that Woods had been "taken ill" and was in good hands, without elaborating on the specific nature of the incident. She then stepped in to continue the coverage alongside Wright and Asante.
The abruptness of the incident triggered an immediate outpouring of concern on social media. Many viewers expressed their shock and worry for Woods' wellbeing, with messages of support flooding platforms like X. One user wrote, "Don't know what happened there with Laura Woods at the coverage of the Lionesses game on ITV4, but hoping she's ok". Another echoed the sentiment, saying, "Looking forward to the game but hope Laura Woods is okay. Quite a shock to see her collapse like that".
Fans also praised Wright and Asante for their quick thinking and actions in preventing Woods from potentially sustaining further injury. Social media users lauded Shanahan for stepping in at late notice and maintaining a professional demeanor under pressure. One viewer posted, "Full respect to the presenter who had to step in with zero notice after Laura Woods fainted. She's making it look easy".
ITV has yet to release an official statement regarding the specific cause of Woods' illness or provide a further update on her condition. Woods is a well-known figure in sports broadcasting, regularly hosting ITV's coverage of the Lionesses and taking on lead presenter roles for major tournaments such as the 2023 Women's World Cup and Euro 2025. She gave birth to her first child in January.
The Daily Express is committed to providing updates on this developing story as more information becomes available.
