Jamie Theakston today announced he has been diagnosed with cancer and will be taking a step back from the Heart radio show he hosts with Amanda Holden.
In an emotional statement he told his followers: "Be thankful for this day, and when I see you next I'll have a great story to tell." The star has stage 1 laryngeal cancer, which was identified after he had surgery on his vocal chords earlier this year.
Here is his statement, which was published on the broadcaster's Instagram page this morning.... Jamie wrote: "Hi folks, 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. "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 and Amanda." He added, referring to the media company that owns Heart: "Huge thanks to them and all the Global family who have been unbelievably supportive.
Be thankful for this day, and when I see you next, I'll have a great story to tell. "Be thankful for this day, and when I see you next, I'll have a great story to tell..." He signed off the message simply: "Jamie x." Jamie is known to generations of fans thanks to his long career in TV and radio, co-hosting Saturday morning children's show Live & Kicking with Zoe Ball in the late 90s and fronting Top of the Pops in its final few series.