Boxing trainer Ingle battles back from rare form of epilepsy

The 73-year-old, who has trained four world champions, was paralysed for three days by a rare form of epilepsy.

But after being discharged from hospital last night, he said: “I don’t know when I’ll go back to the gym – it all depends on what time I go back home.

“I’m too busy to pop my clogs, there is too much for me to do.”

The former boxer has no memory of being rushed into hospital a week ago, nor of the three days doctors fought to save his life.

Speaking from his bedside at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield, before he was released, the grandfather-of-13 said: “When I woke up on Saturday morning I thought, ‘What am I doing here?’ It was a shock to realise I was in hospital and how ill I had been.

“I can’t remember exactly what the doctors said but I was just glad to be OK, and that I was still here.”

Doctors initially feared Mr Ingle – who began to feel tired, thirsty and ill last Tuesday – had suffered a stroke. But when his body was gripped by another seizure, and he moved an arm, medics realised there must be another explanation for his mystery illness.

They eventually diagnosed Todd’s Paresis, a form of epilepsy which causes temporary paralysis and can be controlled with medication.

Mr Ingle – who was visited round the clock by dozens of boxers he had trained over the years – said he wanted to thank hospital staff for their first-class care, as well as the many supporters who had sent ‘get well soon’ messages.

Nurse practitioner Sam Coggeran said: “Clearly Brendan has been quite poorly but he has been a pleasure to nurse and a star patient. If we had more Brendans our job would be a lot easier.

“We will miss him, but everybody is glad he is doing so well.”