The Channel 4 broadcaster was left fighting for her life after the accident in February near her Islington home.

Miss McDonald told the BBC's Edinburgh Festival Website she had been "very lucky" to survive after suffering serious head injuries and memory loss.

The vehicle was answering a 999 call at the time of the accident.

Asked what her worst nightmare was, she said: "Actually, I've just lived through it.

"For years I used to imagine what it must be like being hit by a speeding car and eventually I was.

"My advice is to avoid nightmares."

Work now 'in perspective'

"I think the accident has put everything into perspective," she said.

"All those things that I used to strive for and think were terribly important don't seem crucial any more.

"Before the accident the main thing I thought about was work.

"Now I think more about my friends and family and my health - they are what is important to me now.

"Of the accident itself I don't remember anything, and very little of the six weeks afterwards.

"But I know I've had to slow down a lot, to let my body recover and it's made me much more contemplative."

Asked what gave her the biggest laugh in life, she said: "Conversation with Alan Little, the BBC's Moscow correspondent, my friend and partner, who has been an enormous support to me since my accident."