Jamie Theakston, 53, shares cancer diagnosis after hospital operation as he issues candid statement

Jamie Theakston has been diagnosed with cancer

PA
Alex Davies

By Alex Davies


Published: 17/09/2024

- 08:59

Updated: 17/09/2024

- 09:59

The Heart Radio presenter took to social media to share the news

Jamie Theakston has been inundated with well wishes after bravely sharing the news he's been diagnosed with cancer.

The Heart Radio presenter announced the health update on Instagram on Tuesday morning as he takes a break from the Breakfast show he usually hosts with Amanda Holden.


On Instagram, Theakston penned to his 74.4k followers: "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."

Remaining defiant in light of the news, Theakston went on: "So...I have cancer... but cancer doesn't have me! The prognosis is very positive and I'm hoping to be back with 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.

Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden

Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden usually present Heart Breakfast

PA

"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... Jamie x."

Before long, fans and famous faces rushed to the comments section of the post to wish Theakston a speedy recovery - including Heart co-star Holden.

"Love you darling," Holden simply penned alongside a love-heart-eyed emoji.

Elsewhere, Celebrity Juice star Leigh Francis showed his support as he commented: "Sending you magical powers and positivity x."

"Get well soon," Oti Mabuse of BBC Strictly fame typed while Carol Vorderman weighed in: "Sending best Jamie.

"Thank goodness your listeners spotted the change in your voice, all found early and you’ll be back keeping everyone happy very soon."

Fellow Heart presenter and former Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts echoed: "Sending all my love buddy."

While TV chef Jamie Oliver said to the 53-year-old: "Big love brother you got this sending love xxx." (sic)

With Theakston out of action on the airwaves, Holden addressed her co-host's diagnosis while on-air during Tuesday's show.

Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden

Jamie Theakston has been a regular on Heart for years

PA

Holden told listeners: "You know that we share everything with you on this show. The ups and the downs. So 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 1 laryngeal cancer. Now even though it's been identified as cancer, it is not all bad news."

Co-host JK chipped in: "No. 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 and you know what Jamie's like as well, Jamie's 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 with a smile and he does not want that to change."

Holden signed off: "No, 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 is what we're going to do, we're going to do him proud."

You may like