BBC's Marr suffers stroke in UK

BBC broadcaster and former Independent newspaper editor Andrew Marr is reportedly recovering in hospital after suffering a stroke, following an unexpected illness the day before. The BBC announced in a statement on Wednesday that Marr was “responding to treatment,” and has reportedly been conscious and capable of conversation. "We will continue to broadcast The Andrew Marr Show and Radio 4's Start The Week with guest presenters in his absence," the broadcasting corporation said. "His colleagues and the whole BBC wish him a speedy recovery." Marr, aged 53, has become one of the BBC’s most well-known and popular media personalities in recent years, having joined the company as Political Editor in 2000. Marr began his media career as a newspaper journalist, moving to the Scotsman and Economist before taking the Independent's chief Political Commentator job in 1992. He edited the paper for two years starting in 1996. In 2005 Marr replaced Sir David Frost, presenting BBC1’s Sunday morning political talk show, now a regular fixture in the UK's weekly news cycle. He has also presented a number of factual programmes for the BBC, fronting histories of modern Britain and Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. James Landale, currently the BBC’s Deputy Political Editor, has been announced as a stand-in presenter for the Andrew Marr Show this weekend.