Stuart Pearce speaks for the first time after a worrying health scare which his plane divert so he could receive hospital treatment.
Reports emerged over the week, with Stuart Pearce falling ill on a Virgin Atlantic flight from Las Vegas to London Heathrow on the 2nd of March.
The plane was diverted to St. John’s, Canada, where he received medical attention and spent several days recovering in a hospital. After being discharged on the 9th of March, he returned to the UK.
He had been in Las Vegas to watch a rugby league match between Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors. During the flight, he experienced chest pains, prompting the diversion and immediate care from the Virgin Atlantic crew and medically trained passengers.
Watch Stuart Pearce in his brief 5 minute chat with talkSPORT by clicking play below…
The City Ground erupts in applause for Nottingham Forest legend Stuart Pearce, who had a recent health scare 👏
Get well soon, Stuart. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/YgIHWREX1A
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 8, 2025
He said: “I feel brilliant in myself and have done since probably mid last week, to be quite honest with you.
“I’m in really good hands. The people in the hospital have been magnificent.”
He said his insurers are looking at how to get bring him back home to the UK, saying he needs a “medical chaperone”.
“Over the next day or so, hopefully,” Pearce added.
“On the flight I had chest pains, so the crew on Virgin were brilliant and looked after me fantastically.”
“My heart rate was racing, my resting heart rate was anything above 155 bpm so that was ridiculous, really.
“My heart wasn’t pumping enough blood around the system and had some swelling…
“At the end of the week, on Friday, they said we’ll stick a tube down your throat, if there’s no swelling around your heart we’ll stop your heart and reboot again and that’s exactly what they did.
“My heart went back to a normal rate and I left the next day.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to watch a few games – the Forest game against Man City was very humbling.
“Thank you to everyone who has sent messages of support.”
There was a minute’s applause for Stuart Pearce at the City Ground after the former Forest, Man City and England defender suffered a medical emergency on a flight last weekend.
Everyone at MOTD sends Stuart our best wishes for a speedy recovery. ❤️#BBCFootball #NFOMCI pic.twitter.com/fN8x5OnFjj
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) March 8, 2025
“Absolutely brilliant, I went to meet my maker last week and it wasn’t God, it was actually Lord Jordan sitting in his seat that I actually had to meet, but he said, ‘Your time is not up big fella,’ and he sent me away.
“So in all seriousness, I’m in good form, on the flight I had chest pains and stuff like that, the crew on Virgin were brilliant, they took care of me fantastically and then said, ‘Look, we’re not going to take the chance travelling across the Atlantic, we’re going to drop you off’.
“So we’re down in St John’s Newfoundland, and have been here for ten days now I think, five days in hospital and just a few days out of hospital.
“The only downside is our bags went on to London and the only thing that we were left with was actually Martin Keown’s autobiography.
“You know when things can’t get any worse, you’re stuck with Keown’s autobiography for the duration.”
A source said: “Stuart’s pains appeared to be getting worse as the flight continued.
“He was constantly shifting position in his seat to try and find some comfort.
“It was very clear the situation was serious.
“The crew and other passengers trained in first aid were marvellous.
“He received the best available care in the circumstances and was so grateful to everyone involved, and for the plane diverting to Canada.”
A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said: “Due to an unwell customer on board, the VS156 on March 2 flying from Las Vegas to London Heathrow diverted to St John’s International Airport, Canada, and was met by the medical services.
“The safety and well-being of our customers and crew is always our number one priority and we apologise for the delay to our customers’ journey.”
Sam Matterface said to talkSPORT on Saturday: “I spoke to him yesterday, he was in great spirits.
“He isn’t 100 per cent – that is definitely the case.
“But he’s in the right place in the hospital. They’re dealing with it.
“He’s a little bit disappointed about not being here today. He actually said to me, ‘I’ve got so much I’ve had to cancel. Great games and Mumford and Sons are playing next Wednesday night and I can’t go!’
“He’s in hospital playing Guess The Intro – so he’s in good spirits.”
Twitter users reacted as Stuart Pearce speaks for first time on his worrying health scare leading to hospital treatment…
@CJSN1982: Fantastic news!!! 🙏🏻
@theseaside100: Stuart Pearce chatting on TalkSPORT; says still in Canada, had 5 days in hospital and now 5 days recuperation. Sounds in fine form now.
@Trickypig74: That was a tremendous moment and was great to be a part of an show the appreciation for our legendary Number 3.
@Trickytreenffc2: He sounded so well. And glad he watched the game against city and heard the chants! Forest family ♥️🌳⚽️
@forestmad80: Hearing the #NFFC legend Stuart Pearce in good health on @talkSPORT will be the best listening of the week and it’s only Tuesday. Such a relief, rest up big man!
@azzlord: Fantastic to see Stuart Pearce looking so well with @JimWhite and @Sjopinion10 on @talkSPORT just now. Take care ‘Pyscho’ get back to Blighty safely 🔴⚪️🌳 #nffc
@P_Mack10: Great to hear Stuart Pearce on #Talksport, glad he’s on the road to recovery
@PORTSMOUTHFCLEE: Wishing Stuart all the very best. One of the all time greats. Englands finest 🏴
@cds4324: Get well soon Pearcy. I’m a Villa fan but you’re a rare breed that all football fans appreciate. Loved watching you for England and we all knew how much it meant to you. 👏❤️
@dj_zotov: My hero when I first watched Forest regularly from the 1980s. Get well soon, Psycho ❤️ #NFFC
@steveburnley: I hope he’s alright, met him in the player’s lounge at Forest when he was England captain and got his signature on a £20 note, not the best move, was the only money I had, was behind the bar not long after 🤦
@Catheri46797660: Get well soon Stuart. England legend xx
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