TNT Sports presenter Orla Chennaoui mugged in London
TNT Sports presenter Orla Chennaoui has revealed that she was mugged in London earlier this month, just hours after hosting a prestigious university event with Hillary Clinton, reports BritPanorama.
The incident occurred the morning after Chennaoui returned to Queen’s University Belfast, where she had hosted an anniversary dinner featuring the former US Secretary of State. The 47-year-old cycling host shared the distressing experience with her 135,000 Instagram followers, highlighting how swiftly her week took a dramatic turn.
Chennaoui described the mugging as a “total cliché” involving a “hooded gent on a bike” who snatched her phone from her hand. The frightening incident caused immediate panic among her loved ones, who heard her screaming before the line suddenly went dead, leaving them unable to reach her.
Reflecting on the ordeal, she stated, “But in the end could have been much worse, only a stolen, no bodily damage.” Despite the distress of losing her phone, she acknowledged that she escaped the situation without physical harm. The week had begun on a high note with the university event, where Clinton announced an £8 million bursaries fund aimed at increasing access to higher education.
Chennaoui had described the opportunity to host such an event as “completely overwhelming,” but this highlight was soon overshadowed by the mugging. The former First Lady and presidential candidate, now 78, has maintained strong ties with the Belfast institution since taking on the ceremonial role five years ago, making the incident feel all the more jarring.
Unfortunately, the troubles did not end there. While engaging in crafts with her daughter, Chennaoui suffered a severe cut that turned out to be far more serious than it initially appeared. “When I cut my finger while crafting with my daughter last week, turns out I’d slice to the bone and severed a tendon,” she remarked, noting that the surgeon opted for immediate surgery, operating without taking their lunch break.
In a testament to her resilience, Chennaoui maintained a positive outlook: “Sometimes good stuff happens, sometimes bad, the universe isn’t out to get you, it just is what it is.”
Such reflections highlight the unpredictable nature of life, where moments of joy can suddenly be disrupted, reminding us that even in the face of adversity, a sense of humour and perspective can still shine through.
