Ben Fogle and wife Marina: ‘devastated’ by stillbirth

"Marina is still in hospital. They are obviously devastated and would appreciate their privacy at this terrible time. They thank you for your understanding."

He has since opened up about the moment Marina almost died giving birth. "The thought of life without her was unbearable," he told The Sun. "And actually the bigger thing, which I haven’t really spoken about, is I very nearly lost my wife. She very, very nearly died.

"For her to have come within 20 minutes of dying was a huge bolt for me and was so terrifying I can’t even explain it."

The adventurer added that the experience has brought them closer together, and made him really appreciate life with his family. "You have to never forget to say: 'I love you,' every single day. Never forget to smile and be happy and seize opportunities. Too many people in life take one another for granted."

Countryfile presenter Ben announced Marina’s pregnancy in April on Twitter.

The couple have 2 children: Ludo, who was born in 2009, and their daughter Iona, born in 2011.

Marina had a miscarriage before her son was born. She also had complications while pregnant with Ludo and ended up having an emergency Caesarean. Little Ludo was born with a collapsed lung and was in intensive care for 3 days.

"I really wanted to give birth naturally," Marina said at the time, "but in the end both my and my child’s life were at risk so there was no choice."

Our sympathies to Marina and Ben at such a sad and difficult time for them, and their whole family.

Read more:

• Stillbirths: why some hospitals seem not to care

• One mum's incredible service for stillborn and miscarried babies

• Amanda Holden's heartbreaking loss of stillborn baby Theo