Heart Breakfast co-host Jamie Theakston has announced his diagnosis with stage one laryngeal cancer.
The 53-year-old radio host, who presents the station’s weekly breakfast show alongside Amanda Holden, shared the news on social media.
In a statement, he said: “Hi folks, as you know – I recently had an operation to remove a lesion from my vocal cords.
“The biopsy has identified this as stage 1 laryngeal cancer.
“So – I have cancer – but cancer doesn’t have me.
“The prognosis is very positive and I’m hoping to be back with you in October.
“Until then, I’ve been told to give my voice a rest and leave you in the mostly capable hands of JK (Jason King) and Amanda.
“Big thanks to them and all the Global family who have been unbelievably supportive.
“Be thankful for this day, and when I next see you, I’ve got a great story to tell … Jamie x.”
At the beginning of the month, Theakston thanked radio listeners who had noticed a difference in his voice, prompting him to get it checked.
He said in an Instagram post: “Sooo – a few of you listeners have noticed my voice hasn’t sounded right these past few weeks – I’ve got you to thank … got it checked – Doctors found a lesion on my vocal cords which I’ve had removed this weekend – thanks for all the kind messages – should be back on my feet soon – in the meantime …” He signed off the message with an emoji with a zipped mouth.
Laryngeal cancer is a form of cancer that affects the larynx, according to the NHS website, and symptoms include pain when swallowing, a lump or swelling in the neck, and a persistent sore throat.
On their Heart Breakfast show on Tuesday, Holden told listeners: “It feels only right that we get you completely up to speed with what’s going on.
“As you might have seen on Jamie’s socials, he recently had an operation to remove a lesion from his vocal cords.
The prognosis is very positive, and Jamie has an amazing team who are going to get this sorted. He’s going to be OK. He’s hoping to be back with us very soon
Co-host Jason King
“And we wanted to let you know that this biopsy has actually been identified as stage one laryngeal cancer.
“Now, even though it’s been identified as cancer, it is not all bad news.”
Co-host Jason King added: “No, the prognosis is very positive, and Jamie has an amazing team who are going to get this sorted.
“He’s going to be OK. He’s hoping to be back with us very soon.
“And you know what Jamie’s like as well. Jamie has been on this show for 20 years, right? He’s done this show for a long time.
“This show is all about feel good. It’s all about having a good time.
“It’s making sure that you go to work, or whatever you’re doing in the morning, going there with a smile. And he does not want that to change.”
Holden said: “He has told us that we’ve got to hold the fort, and he has told us that the show must go on, and absolutely, that’s what we are going to do.
“We are going to do him proud, him and Sophie and the boys, they’re listening at home.
“And I know that after this announcement, all of you listening as well, are going to be sending your best wishes to our king, our lovely Jamie, who is going to be better and back with us very soon.”
NHS England’s national clinical director for cancer, Professor Peter Johnson said: “While any cancer diagnosis is daunting, it is really positive that Jamie’s has been picked up early.
One in two of us will develop some form of cancer in our lifetime – but thanks to continued progress, more cancers are now being diagnosed at an earlier stage than ever before and survival rates are at an all-time high
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England
“Talking about cancer and how to spot signs and symptoms helps save lives, as detecting cancer early gives people the best chance of successful treatment.
“One in two of us will develop some form of cancer in our lifetime – but thanks to continued progress, more cancers are now being diagnosed at an earlier stage than ever before and survival rates are at an all-time high, so I would encourage anyone to visit their GP if they have worrying symptoms, and to take up screening appointments when they receive them.”
Theakston found fame in the late 1990s, co-hosting Top Of The Pops and BBC children’s series Live & Kicking, alongside Zoe Ball.
He has also presented game shows The Games for Channel 4 and Britain’s Best Brain for Channel 5.
He began co-hosting Heart’s flagship breakfast show in 2005.