Much-loved ITV Granada Reports presenter Lucy Meacock has thanked fans for their support after sharing a health update as she returned to screen. Lucy has been away from her role as co-anchor of the nightly regional news show for several weeks, but fans were delighted to see her return this week.
Ahead of returning to ITV on Wednesday night, Lucy shared a health update with her fans, friends and followers on Twitter. She sent "a massive thank you" to the "hardworking people of the NHS and Liverpool Women's Hospital for helping me on the long road to recovery."
On the Wednesday night programme her co-presenter Gamal Fahnbulleh opened the show by saying: "Look who's back" as he sat alongside Lucy.
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At the end of the half hour news show, Gamal asked Lucy "Is it good to be back on the horse?" A beaming Lucy laughed: "It is, it's like I never left".
Lucy is one of the longest standing ITV news presenters in the UK, having worked at Granada Reports for more than 30 years. She has a devoted army of fans who have been sending her well wishes throughout her recent absence.
In Lucy's tweet to her followers on Tuesday she shared a photo alongside Gamal and wrote: "A massive thank you to the kind & hardworking people of the #NHS & @LiverpoolWomens for helping me on long road to recovery. Looking forward to being back @GranadaReports tomorrow with @ITVGranadaGamal & our brilliant team Please join us if you can x"
After her return to the show, Lucy sent a follow up message saying she was "overwhelmed" by the messages of support. She said: "I can never thank you all enough for your kind messages and the warmth of your welcome back to Granada Reports.
"I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. Recovery is a gradual process but every message has really helped. Thank you."
Lucy's return was greeted by huge cheers by viewers. Many flocked to Twitter to send their best wishes to the TV favourite.
Dan Whitehouse tweeted: "Aww Lucy, so happy you’re on the mend and back on screen tomorrow. We’ve missed you in this house ‘Mrs Granada’."
Di Price said: "Welcome back #Legend, you have been missed so much, hope you are much better and thanks to the #NHS who do a wonderful job."
Coun Pat Karney said: "We really missed you but great that you are back."
Phil Cross tweeted: "So glad you are feeling better Lucy, I have missed seeing you presenting Granada Reports, can't wait to see you back in the studio with Gamal. You light up the TV screen with your friendly smile. Hope you're recovery is going well."
Last year Lucy was appointed the chancellor of Salford University. In the role, she will preside at Graduation ceremonies and support the University’s work.
She follows in the footsteps of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, human geneticist Sir Walter Bodmer and Professor Jackie Kay CBE.
Her time at Granada has seen her co-present alongside legendary news figures like the late Bob Greaves, Tony Wilson and Tony Morris. Lucy has also presented BAFTA-winning programmes on Hillsborough and an investigation into the cockle pickers tragedy in Morecambe Bay.
In 2001, Lucy won two Royal Television Society awards for the Manchester Bomb Programme and Organ Retention Scandal Debate. She also received an Honorary Doctorate of Arts from the University of Salford in 2019 in recognition of her services to regional news broadcasting.
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