Whoopi Goldberg has revealed that she "came very close to leaving the earth" during her recent battle with pneumonia.
The 63-year-old co-host of US talk show The View gave an update on her health during Friday's episode, having been absent from screens due to serious illness since February 5.
"Hey, yes, it's me," said Goldberg. "I am here. I am up and moving around - not as fast as I'd like to be, but I am okay. I'm not dead.
"So here's what happened: I had pneumonia and I was septic. Pneumonia in both lungs, which meant there was fluid - there was all kinds of stuff going on," the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony winner recounted.
"And yes, I came very close to leaving the earth. Good news, I didn't."
"Thank you for all of your good wishes, all of the wonderful things that people have been saying," said Goldberg, signing off.
"Even people who are not, like, huge fans of mine have actually said nice things about me. We all know that's going to change when I get back, but for right now it's brilliant!
"And thank you for everything. And ladies [her View co-presenters], I cannot wait to see y'all. This has been interesting, and I'll tell you about it when we're all at the table."
