Get well soon messages have poured in from friends of Carol Barnes as the former ITN newsreader fought for life in hospital.

Ms Barnes, 63, who presented the flagship News at Ten bulletin for a number of years, was admitted to the Royal Sussex County Hospital over the weekend after suffering a massive stroke.

A spokesman from her agents, Knight Ayton Management, said: "Her son James and close friends have asked for their privacy to be respected."

Ms Barnes recently starred in a documentary with her former ITN colleague Ed Mitchell which depicted his fight against alcoholism.

Mr Mitchell said: "We go back more than 20 years. I'm absolutely devastated. It comes as a complete and utter shock. She was so well and healthy and serene when I worked with her in December.

"My heart goes out to her son and family. We're all praying for her in our own ways."

She is well known for her charity work with a variety of organisations, including The Argus Appeal.

Elsa Gillio, the co-ordinator of The Argus Appeal, said: "As a well known celebrity who lives locally she is always keen to help and lend support to many charities and good causes.

"Some of the projects and events that come to mind include the recording of a specially written story for The Gingerbread House, The Argus Appeal's first Christmas grotto, and another first was to act as narrator for the City Charity Christmas Concert at All Saints Church, Hove.

"She has helped to establish all these events which are a vital part of The Argus Appeal's fundraising calendar."

BBC newsreader and Argus Appeal patron Nicholas Owen, who became good friends with Ms Barnes after working together at ITN, said: "We are desperately sorry to hear that she is unwell and we send our love, prayers and thoughts to her and her family and friends."

Comedy actress and friend Carol Cleveland, who starred in Monty Python's Flying Circus TV series, said: "I see her about at all the events and functions we go to.

"It was lovely to see her bounce back from the death of her daughter and to see how she's progressed and how happy she's been, so to hear she's ill and poorly is terrible news.

"All I can say is I hope she gets better soon and my thoughts are with her."

Neighbours at Brighton Marina described Ms Barnes as "charming" and a lover of animals.

One, who asked not to be named, said: "This is terrible news - she appeared to be very well."

Another neighbour, Rex Orr, said: "She lives in the same block as I do, or rather used to as I've recently moved across the road.

"She is always very chatty and friendly and always proactive in the area helping to improve things.

"I just want to wish her well."

Friend Sue Addis, the owner of Brighton restaurant Donatello and Argus Appeal trustee, said: "Of course I'm very sad to hear the news she's had a stroke.

"I know her socially to go out with and we are good friends.

"She is always willing to help others by doing lots of charity work. It's very sad news.

"I wish her the best and to get well soon."

Ms Barnes began her working life as a teacher before joining ITN as a reporter in 1976 and going on to anchor all the broadcaster's main news programmes.

After initially leaving ITN, she rejoined the news team for the war in Iraq as one of the main presenters on the now-defunct ITV News Channel.

She had a long term relationship with Labour MP and Government minister Denis McShane and later married ITN cameraman Nigel Thomson.

Her daughter with Mr McShane, Clare, died when she was 24 in a sky-diving accident in Australia in 2004. Ms Barnes also has a son, James, with Mr Thomson.

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