Jamie Theakston has revealed that he has stage 1 laryngeal cancer.
The Heart Radio presenter, 53, took to Instagram to share his health update with fans on Tuesday after previously revealing he booked an appointment with doctors after listeners had noticed there was something not quite right with his voice.
Laryngeal cancer is a type of cancer that affects the larynx (voice box).
Jamie said: ‘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!
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Jamie Theakston revealed he has cancer on Tuesday: Presenter, 53, is taking a break from his Heart Radio job as his co-star Amanda Holden gave a health update
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Jamie shared this post on social media on Tuesday
‘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.
‘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.’
On September 1, Jamie had said he had got himself checked out after some of listeners had noticed something wasn’t quite right with his voice.
According to the NHS, symptoms of laryngeal cancer include a change in your voice, such as sounding hoarse, pain when swallowing, a lump or swelling in your neck, a long-lasting cough or breathlessness, a persistent sore throat or earache and, in the most severe cases, difficulty breathing.
In the UK, there are more than 2,000 new cases of laryngeal cancer each year. The condition is more common in people over the age of 60, and it’s more common in men than women.
Jamie – who is married to Sophie Siegle – wrote on Instagram: ‘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 – thanks for all the kind messages – should be back on my feet soon – in the meantime…’ and finished the post with a zip-up mouth emoji.
Previous posts on Heart FM’s Instagram account showed fans expressing concern for Jamie’s voice, with one comment under a clip from August 22 saying: ‘Jamie you need to sort your bad throat out.’
Jamie also appeared in a clip posted on August 23, where he and Zoe announced the winners of a £30,000 giveaway.
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On September 1, he shared this post thanking listeners for spotting something wrong with his voice which he quickly got checked out
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Previous posts on Heart FM’s Instagram account showed fans expressing concern for Jamie’s voice (above), with one comment saying: ‘Jamie you need to sort your bad throat out.’
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Jamie also appeared in a clip posted on August 23, where he and Zoe announced the winners of a £30,000 giveaway
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A host of celebrities jumped to the comments to wish Jamie well
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Jamie pictured with wife Sophie Siegle in 2017
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The couple welcomed their first child Sidney in April 2008, before having their second son, Kit, September 2009
Soon after Jamie’s news, Amanda wrote: ‘Our wonderful @jamie.theakston has been diagnosed with stage 1 laryngeal cancer.
‘His prognosis is very good and he has an incredible team around him. Jamie. We love and miss you and look forward to seeing you very soon.
‘With @sophietheakstonjewellery, your gorgeous boys, Us and the entire nation with you.. YOU WILL GET THROUGH THIS .’
Weeks prior to Jamie’s cancer news, Davina McCall questioned if she caused Jamie’s throat lesion after he claimed her over-friendly hug left his trachea bruised when she filled in for Amanda Holden on the show.
Amanda said to Davina: ‘You gave Jamie a massive cuddle which kind of half throttled him. Because of that, when I came back, Jamie started losing his voice and it got worse and worse.’
A concerned Davina asked: ‘Did I do it?’
Amanda explained: ‘He went to the doctor and the doctor said: “This isn’t right, we’re going to look at your throat,” and because of you, he went to the doctor in the first place.
‘Then, on his throat they found a lesion, which he’s since has removed and everything is fine.’
Jamie first shot to fame back in the mid-90s, becoming known for presenting children’s programme Live & Kicking alongside Zoe Ball from 1996, before going on to host popular music show Top of the Pops in 1999.
After becoming a household name, the star’s TV career continued with big hosting gigs on the BBC including music quiz show A Question Of Pop, coverage of Glastonbury and The Millennium.
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Jamie first shot to fame back in the mid-90s, becoming known for presenting children’s programme Live & Kicking alongside Zoe Ball (pictured) from 1996, before going on to host popular music show Top of the Pops in 1999
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Jamie previously presented on Heart FM with Spice Girl singer Emma Bunton
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These days, Jamie is also known for his impressive radio career, with the star currently fronting his Heart FM national breakfast show alongside Amanda
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Weeks prior to Jamie’s cancer news, Davina McCall questioned if she caused Jamie’s throat lesion, after he claimed her over-friendly hug left his trachea bruised
He soon moved over to Channel 4 where he rejoined Zoe to front The Priory – mix of celebrity chat, gossip and games – for three successful series.
Jamie’s other TV credits include The Games, The People’s Quiz, Beg Borrow or Steal and With A Little Help From My Friends.
These days, Jamie is also known for his impressive radio career, with the star currently fronting his Heart FM national breakfast show alongside Amanda.
His radio career saw him starting over on Radio 5 Live, before switching over to BBC Radio 1 in 1999 to host the Sunday Lunch show.
He has won a BAFTA award for Live & Kicking and numerous awards for his radio work.
Jamie married his wife Sophie in Ditchling on 15 September 2007, and the couple live in Chiswick, West London, with their two children.
The pair met at the Oscars in 2006, with the radio star going on to pop the question a year later.
The couple welcomed their first child Sidney in April 2008, before having their second son, Kit, September 2009.
