**Joel Dommett Collapses Midway Through London Marathon, Wakes Up in Ambulance but Triumphs at Finish Line**
In a dramatic turn of events at the 2025 London Marathon, popular TV presenter and comedian Joel Dommett collapsed on the course, later regaining consciousness in an ambulance. The 39-year-old, best known for hosting ITV’s ‘The Masked Singer’, had set himself a daunting goal: not only to complete the marathon, but to do so in under three hours. However, his plans were abruptly upended following a distressing incident around mile 17.
Dommett’s participation in the marathon was a tightly squeezed affair amid a busy professional schedule. The night before the race, he performed stand-up in Leeds before making a quick dash to London, only to face another filming commitment scheduled for Sunday evening. Speaking to his followers via an Instagram post after the event, the presenter detailed that his hectic timetable may have taken its toll, as he fainted unexpectedly, waking up in an ambulance surrounded by medical staff.
“Not the race I expected,” Dommett shared alongside a photo taken inside the ambulance. “I fainted at mile 17 – don’t really remember much but I woke up in an ambulance! Thanks to Frankie and Barry for being amazing. I really wanted to finish it.” He went on to explain that after several hours of recuperation, his heart rate stabilised, and he was cleared to resume the race, though at a much slower pace than originally planned.
Photos taken earlier in the race depict Dommett being supported by friends during a particularly gruelling stretch at Canary Wharf. Despite his health scare, he persevered, eventually crossing the finish line after six hours, three minutes, and 27 seconds – substantially exceeding his sub-three-hour ambition.
The news of Dommett’s collapse sparked concern among fans and those tracking his progress online, who noticed updated timings for the presenter abruptly stopped after mile 15. However, his determination to complete the marathon, even after such a terrifying incident, quickly became a talking point. Images from the final stretch show Dommett grimacing in pain but resolutely making it over the line.
Despite the physical toll, Dommett’s participation had a deeper, personal significance. He was running to raise funds and awareness for Brain Tumour Support, a charity close to his heart. On his fundraising page, he wrote, “I am challenging myself to run a sub 3 hour London Marathon this year before I reach 40 years old (eeeek!). I’m doing it to raise vital funds and awareness of Brain Tumour Support.” He added that the cause is particularly meaningful, as the organisation had offered support to his wife Hannah’s family following her mother’s brain tumour diagnosis.
Before the event, Dommett had also shared moments of camaraderie with other celebrity runners, including McFly drummer Harry Judd. Lining up at the starting point, Dommett posted a photo with Judd, writing, “HERE WE GOOOO! Pleasure to run with this dude @harryjudd.”
After publicly sharing his experience, well-wishes and messages of support flooded in from both fans and fellow celebrities. Ben Shephard, host of ‘This Morning’, commented, “What a challenge and awesome you got back up and finished!” Harry Judd, who witnessed Dommett’s ordeal, added, “That is a heroic effort mate! You were not in a good way when I saw you! Well done for getting back out and finishing. Huge respect!”
Dommett’s ordeal highlights both the physical challenges faced by marathon runners and the unpredictable nature of endurance events. While aspiring to reach a personal milestone, he also drew attention to a valuable cause, which many believe will continue to benefit from his high-profile advocacy.
In reflecting on this episode, Dommett’s resilience and determination stand out. Although his marathon journey did not unfold as he had envisioned, his ability to persevere through adversity has resonated strongly with the public, inspiring both runners and fans alike.
As Joel Dommett recovers from this unexpected health scare, his story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of listening to one’s body, even amid charitable aspirations and ambitious goals. The London Marathon, famed for its spirit of endurance and community, once again witnessed a truly moving display of human determination and solidarity.