UK Radio Host Jamie Theakston, 53, Diagnosed with Throat Cancer: ‘I’ll Have a Great Story to Tell’

After listeners said he sounded different on-air, U.K. radio host Jamie Theakston sought medical care — and discovered he has throat cancer.

“As you know – I recently had an operation to remove a lesion from my vocal chords. The biopsy has identified this as Stage 1 Laryngeal Cancer,” Theakston shared in an Instagram post on Sept. 17.

It was a follow-up to his Sept. 1 post, where Theakston, 53, wrote, “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 chords which I’ve had removed this weekend.”

And as he said in his update, “So…I have cancer…but cancer doesn’t have me! The prognosis is very positive.” 

Theakston, who shares two children with his wife, jewelry designer Sophie Theakston, announced he would be taking a leave of absence from the longrunning Heart Radio’s breakfast show, which he’s co-hosted since 2005. His current co-host, Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden, will continue the show with deejay JK stepping in in Theakston’s place. 

“I’m hoping to be back with you in October. Until then, I’ve been told to give my voice a rest,” Theakston wrote, cheekily adding the show is “in the mostly capable hands of Amanda and JK.” 

They addressed his illness on-air, with Holden saying “even though it’s been identified as cancer, it is not all bad news.”

“The prognosis is very positive, and Jamie has an amazing team who are going to get this sorted. He’s going to be okay. He’s hoping to be back with us very soon,” JK added.

Theakston, who first rose to fame hosting the children’s show Live & Kicking, was flooded with well wishes from stars like Spice Girl Emma Bunton — with whom he used to co-host the show.

“Love you to bits, ❤️” Bunton wrote.

Chef Jamie Oliver chimed in, writing, “❤️❤️ big love brother you got this sending love xxx”

And UK pop star Olly Murs wrote, “Theakooo big love to you mate!! Get well soon mate 💪🏻💪🏻”

And his wife, Sophie, shared his post to her Instagram stories, writing, “My man #we gotthis.”