Trevor Nelson has revealed the reason he stepped back from his BBC Radio 2 show was that he was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
In a post on Instagram, the broadcaster said the diagnosis came as a shock to him, his close family and friends, prompting him to stop work while he underwent treatment.
Nelson explained that he had been receiving messages from listeners asking about his health after announcing at the start of summer that he was stepping back from his work commitments.
He said the support he had received from thousands of people encouraged him to explain what had happened, although he plans to share the full story at a later date.
Nelson said: “I was minding my own business and then it was discovered that I had a brain tumour.”
He described the news as something that left his “world turned upside down” and said he knew he could not continue working on the radio while dealing with the diagnosis.
He was given treatment options before undergoing what he described as “very serious surgery” a few weeks later, which he said went incredibly well.
The radio presenter has since spent the last month at home recuperating and recovering, while also receiving post-operative treatment.
Nelson said he is now feeling much better and is keen to return to his usual routine, saying: “I feel great right now. I feel ready to come back.”
He added that he feels “energised” and “almost back to myself” and has returned to activities including playing golf and going to the gym.
The presenter also reassured listeners about his recovery, saying: “Please don’t worry about me. I’m on the mend. I really am on the mend.”
Nelson thanked listeners for their love and support throughout what he described as a very serious situation, saying the positive messages had meant a great deal to him.
He also revealed that watching the World Cup had helped take his mind off what was happening during his recovery, saying: “Thank God for the World Cup.”
Nelson finished by telling listeners that they will be hearing him back on the radio “very, very soon”, signalling his intention to return once he is ready.
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