BBC Presenter Emma Jones announces she's taking a break from TV after giving health update

BBC presenter Emma Jones has announced that she will be 'stepping away' from television.

Sports journalist Jones, 34, joined the BBC back in 2021 and swiftly became a regular feature on football show Match of the Day X after beginning her career as a freelancer.

She has also worked for BBC Radio 5 Live, the Netball Nation Podcast and coverage for the 2018 World Cup at the broadcaster.

However, Jones has now confirmed that she will be taking time away from television to prioritise looking after her physical health following a recent hospitalisation.

"My health hasn’t been in a great place for quite some time now and I’ve spent more time in hospital than my own home," she said on X.

"I’m taking time away from work/life to focus on getting back to full strength. I’ll be back soon."

Jones was quick to be inundated with messages of support and well-wishes from her followers, with several people praising the presenter's decision to look after herself.

"Sorry to hear that. Hope things improve soon," former Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling wrote, while ex-Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford added: "Thinkning of you guys."

"Get well soon EJ, health is the most important thing, a third person wrote. "Wishing you a speedy recovery so we can enjoy your punditry again."

Jones is yet to release further details about the health condition she has been dealing with or why she has been in hospital.

Before joining the BBC, Jones worked for championship club Leeds United's channel Leeds TV, with the journalist later revealing she is now a fan of the club.

"I am a Leeds fan now. You can’t go to Elland Road and not be," she said in 2018 interview with The Yorkshire Post.

She also talked about the pressure of being a woman in a 'male dominated environment' adding that she believed things were changing for women working in football.

"I feel like there is a shift happening now and there is a huge focus on getting women involved in football and other sports broadcasting," she added.

"It is still a very male world, but it is changing. People are more careful – as a rule, they think before they speak now."

Outside of the world of football, Jones has also tried her hand at MMA, recently sharing a clip of herself in a training session with fighter Denis Frimpong.

The video showed Frimpong teaching the presenter how to perform a triangle chokehold.

However Jones was quick to rule out the prospect of being an MMA fighter after the clip, adding: "I’m not sure I’ll ever be an MMA fighter after this training session."