Kentucky Derby TV host forced off air by medical emergency to return for Preakness Stakes

An award-winning broadcaster will be back in the host’s seat for Saturday’s Preakness Stakes after being forced off air by a medical emergency during live coverage of the Kentucky Derby.

Mike Tirico, 58, is ‘the voice of NBC Sports biggest events', including the network’s coverage of Sunday Night , the Olympics plus, from October, the NBA as well as the US’s major events such as the Triple Crown series. He was on set alongside Randy Moss and Jerry Bailey for NBC’s broadcast of the Kentucky Derby ten days ago until he was replaced midway through the show.

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Ahmed Fareed, who was asked to fill in for him, told viewers, “Mike is feeling a little under the weather right now so I am going to step in, take over for a bit.”

It subsequently emerged that Tirico, who has a nut allergy, suffered a severe reaction to something he ate and was unable to continue with the broadcast.

He subsequently explained to the Today show, ““In all seriousness, and it is serious, I have had a nut allergy my whole life, and am usually very, very careful. I ate something that had a nut in it and had a nut allergy. It causes your throat and your nose and all that stuff to kind of clog up and swell and affect your breathing a little bit.

“So I wasn't feeling well, couldn't go on with the show, took an EpiPen shot, got treated by EMTs. Felt better as about eight, nine o'clock came along, but it takes a while for it to get out of your system.

“And thank goodness Ahmed Fareed, who is great, was there and filled in more than ably and the show went on without us.”

Tirico later discovered that May was Food Allergy Awareness Month in the US and hoped his experience would help people better understand the issue.

“There are over 30 million Americans with food allergies,” Tirico said. “I had it as a kid, and people had no idea. They thought I was silly and making it up, but it's a real thing. My son has it. Lots of us know someone who has a food allergy, so read labels, and I do as often as possible to check; sometimes it will say, 'made in a factory where nuts are present.

"You have to be really careful about that stuff. There is a possibility for cross contamination. So not only ask questions, but if you're hosting people for dinners, let them know if there are anything made with nuts.

"Restaurants are great about it now. So ask, inquire, be curious, and be courteous to those who have nut allergies or other food allergies.”

Tirico will return to his regular role on Saturday to host NBC’s coverage of the second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico.