A regional sports journalist who married after recovering from a near-fatal brain bleed had his story featured on national television.

Will Perringwood, rugby writer at Gloucestershire Live, and his now-wife Amy appeared on ITV’s Extraordinary Weddings on Thursday night.

Will, 34, suffered a rare and often fatal subarachnoid haemorrhage after going for a run one Saturday morning in 2013, and spent months being rehabilitated after being put into a medically induced coma.

Amy, who was living in Dorset at the time, moved to Cheltenham to care for Will through his recovery and the couple were contacted by the programme’s producers, who had read Will’s blog detailing his rehabilitation.

Will and Amy on their wedding day

Said Will: “We weren’t looking for publicity, but they were looking for people who had overcome great difficulties and were getting married, and I think Headway the head injuries charity mentioned me.

“The camera crew came down and filmed us for about nine months before the wedding, and at the day itself. It was funny because they always brought really good snacks with them, so we were happy to see them.”

It is estimated between eight and nine million viewers watched the couple’s story.

Will added: “It’s strange watching yourself – it’s kind of like looking in the mirror. It was incredible to relive the wedding and stag do and everything.

“was really nervous before – we had already seen it but you’re just nervous how you’re going to come across.”