Serbian politician Darko Glišić suffered a stroke during a live interview. The former minister for public investment appeared on a morning show for the Serbian television channel Pink on Tuesday (August 5). But things took a chilling turn when the dad-of-two's demeanor changed halfway through the televised interview, according to the Serabian outlet Vreme and the Daily Mail.

The politician’s speech noticeably slowed as one of his eyes began to close while he attempted to continue his chat with the Pink hosts. Footage from the broadcast later made the rounds on social media after it was reposted by European outlet Nexta.

Viewers watched on in horror as one side of his face began to droop and his speech slurred – both classic signs of a stroke according to the NHS.

The minister, who is a close associate of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, was soon rushed to hospital in a “very serious condition” at the Clinical Centre of Serbia following the TV appearance, Vreme reported at the time, citing the Serbian newspaper, Informer.

The outlet claims he was hospitalised in “an unconscious state” adding that “doctors are now fighting for his life”. Another Serbian politician, Zlatibor Lončar, said that upon arriving at the hospital that the minister had “an extremely complex operation” which took “longer than expected”.

He also claimed that the minister received a visit from the Serbian President, which the leader later confirmed on his Instagram account. He wrote: “I came to the Clinical Centre of Serbia and visited Darko Glišić and for all our people, I want to tell one wonderful news. Darko is better, I talked to him,” Vučić said in a video on Instagram and translated by Vreme.

The president continued: “He’s still struggling a bit, but I can’t describe my joy and his. They cannot beat Serbia. There is no surrender, long live Serbia.” In the caption, he added: “Darko is better, thank you all for your concern.”

The following day on August 7, the president provided another update on Instagram, this time with a snap of him holding Glišić‘s hand. The minister raised his other hand in a fist as he laid in his hospital bed.

The NHS reveals the main symptoms of a stroke can happen suddenly and may include face weakness, arm weakness and speech problems. The frst 24 hours after a stroke require immediate medical attention and may include physiotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

This can also incluse exercises to improve speech, swallowing, and vision, activities to improve your memory, concentration, thinking and mood and exercises and medicines to help with bowel or bladder problems.