In the first video he posted online since leaving the hospital, the wrestling legend thanks all the doctors and nurses that brought him back to life, before insisting that it won't slow him down.

• Jun 1, 2019

AceShowbiz - Wrestling legend Ric Flair has been left with a $1.8 million (£1.4 million) medical bill after almost dying for the second time in two years during his latest hospital visit.

The 70 year old was hospitalised on 16 May due to a "very serious" medical issue, believed to be heart related, and underwent surgery during his week-long stay.

At the time, his wife, Wendy Barlow, did not detail what had caused Flair's health crisis, simply stating he was expected to make a full recovery.

Now, in his first video since leaving the hospital, Flair has apologised to fans for not speaking out sooner, revealing he actually came very close to death.

And the retired sportsman, who explained he is suffering with sore vocal cords as a result of his hospital treatment, insists he isn't too bothered by the costly medical invoice, because he's just grateful to be alive.

"First of all, thank you to my beautiful family, all my friends, to all the doctors, nurses, that brought me back again! It's a miracle again!" he exclaimed in the social media post.

"It's $1.8 million, that's how much all of this has cost...!" Flair continued, as he insisted he won't let the incident slow him down. "A lot of cash out of our pocket, but that's OK because I lived and I'm living here to tell you the kiss stealin', wheelin' dealin', limousine riding, jet flyin' son of a gun is not gonna change, slow down. I'm moving forward!"

His latest medical scare occurred just two years after Flair was placed in a medically-induced coma for 11 days to treat a ruptured intestine.

The former wrestler later said that doctors had given him only a 20 per cent chance to live.