Jamie Theakston, the popular Heart Radio presenter, has disclosed that he has been diagnosed with Stage 1 laryngeal cancer. In an emotional post shared with his followers, Theakston opened up about his recent surgery to remove a lesion from his vocal cords and his current health journey.
“So… I have cancer, but cancer doesn’t have me!” he told fans with optimism. He shared that the prognosis is positive and that he is hoping to return to the airwaves by October. Theakston, who co-hosts Heart Breakfast with Amanda Holden, has been advised to rest his voice until fully recovered.
Until then, Theakston expressed gratitude for his colleagues, saying, “I leave you in the mostly capable hands of JK [Jason King] and Amanda [Holden]. Huge thanks to them and all the Global Family who have been unbelievably supportive.”
The 53-year-old presenter decided to seek medical attention after listeners noticed a change in his voice on-air. In an update on September 1, Theakston thanked his fans for urging him to get checked. “Doctors found a lesion on my vocal cords, which I’ve had removed. Thanks for all the kind messages—I should be back on my feet soon.”
After confirming that the lesion was cancerous, Theakston has received an overwhelming show of support from fans and fellow celebrities. Carol Vorderman expressed relief that his listeners helped catch the cancer early, while former colleague Lisa Snowdon and other friends, including Emma Bunton and Jamie Oliver, sent their love and encouragement.
Amanda Holden shared her own post, writing, “Jamie has been diagnosed with Stage 1 laryngeal cancer. His prognosis is excellent, and he’s surrounded by a wonderful support team. We all miss you, Jamie, and we’ll see you soon.”
Laryngeal cancer is relatively rare, with over 2,000 new cases diagnosed annually in the UK, primarily affecting men over the age of 60. Early detection, as in Theakston’s case, is key to successful treatment.
Jamie Theakston began his career presenting Top of the Pops before joining Heart Radio in 2005, where he became a staple of the station’s flagship breakfast show. Fans eagerly await his return and remain confident in his recovery.
