NICK Blackwell’s family have been handed the perfect Christmas present after the Trowbridge boxer woke up from his coma this week.

Nick, who was placed in a coma after falling ill during a sparring session at Devizes Boxing Club at the end of last month, has defied the odds by waking up before Christmas Day.

His breathing ventilator has now been removed, he is sitting up in his bed watching television, beginning to eat again and recognising his relatives as they visit him.

Dad John Blackwell today (Friday) told The Wiltshire Times of the family's joy.

He said: “We’re all absolutely delighted. We’ve been hoping he would get to this stage but didn’t think it would be for another few months yet.

“He’s out of intensive care and has been put in a new ward in his own room. Even nurses are surprised at how he’s recovered over the past week.

“There’s still a long road ahead, though, and he’ll need another operation sometime next year to replace the part of his skull which is missing, but we’re just so happy to see him smiling again.”

Nick will be moved to a hospital in Bristol where he will be seen by brain specialists who will guide him through gradual rehabilitation.

Mr Blackwell said the past month has been physically and emotionally draining for the family, who have been visiting him regularly.

“The last four weeks have been utter hell,” added the 57-year-old.

“The first week in particular was awful. We had everything going through our heads and experts were telling us that it was 50/50 whether or not he would make it.

“We would have given up everything we had just to see him recover – nothing else has mattered to us other than making sure he makes it.

“We’re all going to visit him in hospital on Christmas Day. It would be amazing if he's able to pull crackers and share jokes with us.”

The 26-year-old was forced to retire from boxing in March following his bruising British title fight defeat to Chris Eubank Jr in London, after which he was placed into an induced coma for more than a week after suffering bleeding on the brain.

Eight months later he took part in the ill-advised sparring session, which led to Devizes trainer Liam Wilkins and light-heavyweight boxer Hasan Karkardi getting suspended by the British Boxing Board of Control earlier this month.