A POIGNANT on-air moment saw a veteran BBC News presenter break down in tears amid an ongoing cancer battle.
Nick Owen, 76, has presented news programmes for both BBC and ITV at different points in his five-decade career.
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He has fronted the regional news show BBC Midlands Today since 1997.
Earlier this month, it was announced Nick had been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2024 for services to charity and broadcasting.
Last year, the long-standing presenter announced he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
During an on-air tribute following the MBE announcement, Nick was seen getting visibly emotional.
Colleague Ben Godfrey read out messages, which were also shown on a nearby screen.
Edward’s Trust, whom Nick has supported for over 30 years, shared: “He’s become part of our family. He’s always found time to support us in our work His MBE is well deserved.”
Another read: “I got tested myself after his illness and was diagnosed late last year with prostate cancer.
“So far, it looks like early detection has paid off.”
A third remarked: “He’s the reason we’ve not had our aerial changed to the local East Midlands transmitter.
“No higher accolade than that!”
Nick’s own son, Tim, simply said: “Very proud of you Dad.”
This prompted the presenter to become visibly overcome with emotion, as he said: “My Tim… oh bless you.
“And I do want to thank everyone who’s been in touch, you know, and so supportive.
“And I’m so grateful that people have responded to the message in the first place about prostate cancer because that’s such an important thing.
“People are talking about it far more now. Not just because of me, but various people have been in the same situation.”
Nick’s cancer announcement last year came not long after a former colleague Anne Diamond made a similar revelation.
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Anne had announced weeks earlier that she was being treated for breast cancer.
The pair worked together on TV-am before getting their own This Morning-style show on BBC1 from 1992 to 1996.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast last year, Nick shared: “We have been cajoling each other.
“It is fantastic [to have one another at this time] but it’s just so ironic that she and I, who are forever associated as a partnership professionally, both have the quintessentially male and female cancer.”
Meanwhile, former Loose Women panellist Anne revealed she was informed of her diagnosis and OBE on the same day.
BBC departures and returns
Speaking to GB News, she said: “I haven’t been on a world cruise.
“It’s been a fight against breast cancer. That’s what it’s been. It’s been a long journey.
“And five months later, I’m still not at the end of the journey, but I’m through it enough to come back to work.”
The main edition of Midlands Today is broadcast every weeknight between 6.30pm and 7.00pm.
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