Super League referee Steve Ganson has revealed how he almost choked to death.
The Super League official collapsed after getting food stuck in his throat. Luckily a paramedic was in the same restaurant and rushed to his aid.
She dislodged the food, but he then went into shock and spent five hours in hospital having tests.
Ganson said: "I got some meat stuck in my throat and I was panicking because nothing would clear it. "I went outside and the next thing I was out cold and I'd turned blue. ''I don't remember anything after going outside but it was bad for my family to see what was happening."
Ganson was told that he was moments from dying before the paramedic intervened. And the controversial and colourful ref is just grateful that she had no idea who he was.
He said: "A load of fans wanted to check if I was actually dead – but luckily I'm still here. "And thankfully there's no brain damage, which is a good thing. 'But that depends on what rugby league fans say about my brain!"