Strokes teach Bowen how super life is

The 73-year-old, who fronted Bullseye for 15 years and was famous for his “super, smashing, great” catchphrase, has been released from hospital after seven weeks of treatment.

He was taken to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary in Lancashire in February after suffering a mild stroke at his home and had a second one in hospital shortly afterwards.

He is now recovering at home in Lancaster with his wife, Phyllis, and undergoing intensive physiotherapy to regain use of the left side of his body.

He said: “It came as a complete shock to me and everyone else – it’s the same for anyone who has one. You don’t think it’s going to happen to you.

“It makes you realise very much that life is not a rehearsal and to appreciate all the things in life.

“The response and good wishes from everyone has been very surprising and overwhelming, and has certainly helped.

“My wife, Phyllis, has been totally supportive and without her I wouldn’t be here. Now I am just focusing on getting back to normal.”