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Pilgrim's condition 'stable'
16/07/2008 08:31 - (SA)
Thinus Ferreira , Die Burger
Port Alfred - Radio DJ and TV presenter Mark Pilgrim's condition is reportedly stable after he suffered a sudden heart attack in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
The bald-headed Pilgrim, a well-known radio DJ who could be heard over weekends on 94.5 Kfm and 94.7 Highveld Stereo and was also known to help fight testicular cancer, was admitted to hospital on Tuesday.
It has been reliably learnt that Pilgrim on Wednesday last week started feeling chest pains and made an appointment to see his doctor.
He was at his doctor's on Tuesday when he had a heart attack and was immediately taken to the Morningside Clinic in Sandton.
The production of M-Net's new game show Power of 10, of which he was the presenter, has been completely disrupted and filming has been stopped indefinitely.
According to M-Net's programme schedule, the show would be aired from August 2 on the pay channel.
Filming started last week on the new set in Studio 6 at M-Net in Randburg, the setting of the old Big Brother Africa house.
Informed sources at the pay channel said there was speculation whether the episodes that had already been filmed would be broadcasted, and if so, whether the show would start on August 2.
No emergency option
M-Net had a contract with Pilgrim and there was no stand-in candidate or emergency option.
During the auditions, more than 100 potential presenters were tested, after which Pilgrim was chosen. He was formerly a Big Brother presenter for the TV channel.
In a short press statement, Ravi Naidoo, the 94.7 station manager said, "Mark is being treated for an obstructive coronary artery and will be in hospital for the rest of the week."
Primedia Broadcasting spokesperson Natasha Wadvalla said on Tuesday night that Pilgrim was in a stable condition.
"Of course everyone is very shocked," she said.
"We are all trying to be as supportive as possible. Mark is a wonderful, talented man and a lovely guy to work with."
"We are thinking of him and his wife, Nicole."
The radio station did not know who would stand in for Pilgrim on Saturday and Sunday when his radio hit parade will be broadcasted.
Carl Fischer, M-Net's head of local productions, said everyone was shocked and sad to hear the news of Pilgrim's heart attack.
"We are waiting to hear from him and his doctors before making any decisions about how the production will proceed."
"We wish Mark and his family only the best during this time."
- Die Burger
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South Africa
