English television and radio presenter Jamie Theakston has announced he has been diagnosed with stage one laryngeal cancer.
The 53-year-old Heart Breakfast co-host 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 (Holden)."
The statement concluded: "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."
Spice Girl Emma Bunton, who hosts Heart's Feel Good Weekend on Sundays and used to co-present alongside Theakston, was among those sending him well wishes, commenting: "Love you to bits."
TV chef Jamie Oliver wrote "big love brother you got this sending love xxx" and radio and TV star Vicky Pattison said "Sending you so much love Jamie".
Olympian Greg Rutherford wrote: "Wishing you all the best. Get well soon mate", while Capital Breakfast's Sian Welby said: "If anyone can get through this it’s you. Sending all the positive vibes your way."
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.
"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."
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.
Source: Press Association
