Dubai radio presenter Catboy spends a week in hospital with Covid-19

The Arabian Radio Network star was given oxygen and daily injections

Catboy pictured with former co-presenter Aylissa Boyce at Dubai Eye’s studios. Victor Besa for The National

Dubai radio presenter Simon Smedley is recovering at home after spending a week in hospital after a serious bout of Covid-19.

The Arabian Radio Network star, known as Catboy, said he was struck down with a severe case of the virus, which also made his wife Lorra ill.

He shared an image of himself on Sunday from a hospital bed wearing an oxygen mask.

“On the long road to recovery but a week in isolation in a hospital room, several daily injections, 24/7 IV & oxygen, no sleep, hallucinations,” he wrote on Twitter.

“The worst illness I’ve ever had.

“My wife had it, too. Thanks to everyone helping us through this.”

Smedley has recently been absent from his daily radio slot on Dubai 92, which is one of the network’s most popular shows.

His tweet led to a flood of support and get well messages on social media, with fans keen to hear him back on-air soon.

Catboy first came to fame in his role as breakfast show host for Dubai 92 in 2006.

Dubai's vaccine drive - in pictures

People queue for the vaccine near DIFC. The city has approved Pfizer-BioNTech, Sinopharm and Oxfrd-AstraZeneca for use, and officials hope to have half the population vaccinated by late March. AFP

Abu Dhabi has vaccinated at least 60 per cent of teachers and school staff, many during a week-long vaccine drive in late January. Courtesy: Adek

A man receives a dose of a vaccine against Covid-19 at St Paul’s Church in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

A vaccine is administered at Bareen International Hospital in Mohamed Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi. Courtesy: Bareen hospital

Abu Dhabi has vaccinated at least 60 per cent of teachers and school staff, many during a week-long vaccine drive in late January. Courtesy: Adek

Airport personnel unload a coronavirus vaccine shipment at Dubai International Airport on February 1, 2021. AFP

An Emirates Airlines Boeing 777 unloads a coronavirus vaccine shipment at Dubai International Airport on February 1, 2021. The airline is part of the Vaccine Logistics Alliance, which includes also logistics giant DP World. Karim Sahib / AFP

People wait to enter a vaccination centre at Dubai's financial district on January 24, 2021. AFP

People queue for the vaccine near DIFC. The city has approved Pfizer-BioNTech, Sinopharm and Oxfrd-AstraZeneca for use, and officials hope to have half the population vaccinated by late March. AFP

A teacher gives a thumbs up as he receives the Sinopharm vaccine in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy: Department of Education and Knowledge

A placard informs the public of the location of a designated Covid-19 vaccination centre in Dubai's financial centre district. AFP

People in Dubai queue for a vaccine on January 24, 2021. AFP