Legendary rugby commentator Hugh Bladen is said to have suffered a second, more severe stroke a week after he had a mild stroke.

The 76-year-old Bladen was on the mend after suffering a mild stroke on Monday, 4 October. He was hospitalised for two nights and discharged on Wednesday.

In an interview with Huisgenoot last week, Bladen said: “When I woke up the morning, I struggled to talk for a few minutes. My wife was worried and asked whether I had been drinking.”

“The doctor said I can go home, I only had a mild stroke. It wasn’t a massive heart attack or massive stroke. The doctor told me I can start exercising again tomorrow [this past Thursday].”

However, according to a source, Bladen’s recovery suffered a setback with a second, more severe stroke on Monday, 11 October and he has again been hospitalised.