Natalie Pinkham has been absent from our screens since undergoing neck surgery in September, and the Sky Sports F1 presenter has now been forced to miss the Brazilian Grand Prix

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Natalie Pinkham has taken a medically-enforced break from her Sky Sports F1 duties(Image: Formula 1 via Getty Images)

Natalie Pinkham has had to withdraw from her planned punditry role at the Brazilian Grand Prix as she continues her recovery from neck surgery. The popular presenter has been off our screens since September when she fronted coverage of the Italian Grand Prix before undergoing surgery.

Pinkham, a key member of the Sky Sports presenting team since the broadcaster secured the rights to broadcast F1 action in 2012, has spoken about her decision to proceed with the operation after doctors warned her of the risk of permanent nerve damage due to a disc pressing on her spinal cord.

She has been recuperating since announcing on social media in September that the operation was successful. However, it appears her recovery is taking longer than initially anticipated.

In a new update for fans, Pinkham hinted that she had intended to be part of Sky’s coverage in Sao Paulo this weekend. However, she has been unable to travel for the Brazil race as her recovery continues.

Pinkham shared: “Hello friends… I had hoped to be on a flight to Brazil yesterday, but the last couple of months have been trickier than I expected following neck surgery; and I am not there just yet. Huge thanks to the Sky F1 team and the wider company for their incredible support.”

She also posted a video montage showing the scar left on her neck from the surgery, and several images of her using an oxygen mask as part of her recovery. Pinkham added: “Here’s to family, friends, good food and fresh air for their combined healing qualities. Now the hard work really starts.”

During a podcast appearance last month, Pinkham told host Gabby Logan how doctors had discovered a congenital issue with her neck, leading her to decide to have surgery. She explained: “They have to actually take your voice box out, which is a bit gross.

“You have to sign something to say you might lose your voice. Then, they have to move the oesophagus, trachea and then basically they have taken out the disc and they have fused it, but they have also put in a little cage to try to prop the neck up.”

Speaking about her enforced absence from her Sky Sports duties, Pinkham said: “I’ve never really had [a break] in the last 20-odd years and it’s interesting because when you stop physically, that’s often when you stir up the mental noise. It’s been a real period of reflection, the last six weeks, which has had its pros and cons.

“This is the first time I’ve spoken a few sentences at a time – it’s quite hard to talk because of all the scar tissue. It feels like you eat or drink something and it just stops there, you have to wait a while. So, little snacks throughout the day as opposed to big meals.”