Fogle "optimistic" of complete recovery

Ben Fogle has revealed that he is optimistic of a full recovery in time for his planned Antarctic adventure next month.

The TV presenter thanked the public for its support during his battle against a potentially fatal flesh-eating bug which he is thought to have picked up filming Extreme Dreams in Peru.

Fogle, 35, developed a hole in his right arm after a sore broke out and was later diagnosed with Leishmaniasis, a bug transmitted by certain species of sandfly. The adventurer, who is completing a month's course of drugs, told ITN that he is "in expert hands".

"While the treatment is unpleasant, I am reassured that it has a high success rate and I would like to thank all the NHS staff for their kind, professional care and help especially in these first few difficult days of treatment," he said.

"I would like to thank everyone for their kind thoughts and reassure everyone that apart from the rather large hole in one arm and an IV cannula in the other, I am feeling optimistic and looking forward to the completion of the course and heading to Antarctica - which I am relieved to say has no skin-eating parasites."