Radio 2 star DJ Spoony has revealed he was hospitalised over Christmas requiring emergency brain surgery.
He shared the news in an Instagram post on Monday alongside a selection of pictures himself during the process.
DJ Spoony, 54, was flooded with support from his friends and loved ones, including Davina McCall who recently had surgery to remove a brain tumour.
The DJ, real name John St John Joseph BEM, revealed doctors discovered he had a subdural haematoma (a bleed on the brain) after he complained about a month-long headache.
He shared on social media: ‘That was one of the best Christmas’ I’ve ever had. I’m very grateful for all it showed me. For all I have. For all the love, hugs and…love.
‘So…. I had a headache for the 3/4 weeks and went to A&E to get it checked on Saturday 21st. (I rarely get them)
‘They did a few tests and said they wanted to give me a CT scan. The scan showed I had a small bleed on the brain (that had stopped bleeding) that was causing a bit of pressure on the brain hence the headaches.’
Radio 2 star DJ Spoony revealed he was hospitalised over Christmas for emergency brain surgery as he shared a slew of photographs during the process
The DJ, real name John St John Joseph BEM, revealed doctors discovered he had a subdural haematoma (a bleed on the brain) after he complained about a month-long headache
DJ Spoony continued: ‘They said that they were referring me to Adenbrooks as they needed to operate asap. Crazy as I’d been working and training solidly all through the time of the headaches.
‘I was in hospital for 4 nights and was eventully operated on 24.12 at 2am. By their very high standards it was a routine operation to sort my subural hematoma. Within 10mins of the operation I was on my way back to the ward. Fully alert. Chatting. Not groggy after the general.
‘Couldnt wait to have that banana by my bed as I’d been nil by mouth since 1pm the previous day. That was the best banana I’ve ever had….as for the ginger shot. Perfect.
‘What was crazy was the headache had instantly gone. 4 weeks of this throb and finally peace up top.
‘I woke up on Christmas morning in hospital. I was so grateful. Had something special to look forward to. Going home to my family and friends. All who had been incredible for the last few days. The visits, support, calls, messages. Very humbling.
‘There was however some sadness waking up near to some people that didn’t know where they were, that would’ve spent a large part, if not all, of the day without loved ones. I think about them all every day and hope they are making progress in their recovery.
‘Here a few bits captured from that 4 days They didn’t think I was coming home till later in the day so I thought I’d surprise them all. Laura’s face was (is) a treat
‘Thank you to Bedford Hospital for the scan and Addenbrokes for completing the task. You really are the best in the business. All the nurses, doctors, health assistants that looked after me. Thank you to the NHS. Thank you Richard Hughes, Michael Edwards, Arne Slot and Mo Salah.
‘Radio today at 2pm, joining? [sic]’
He shared the news in an Instagram post on Monday alongside a selection of pictures himself during the process
DJ Spoony, 54, was flooded with support from his friends and loved ones, including Davina McCall who recently had surgery to remove a brain tumour
A subdural haematoma is a serious condition where blood collects between the skull and the surface of the brain. It’s usually caused by a head injury.
Head injuries that cause subdural haematomas are often severe, such as those from a car crash, fall or violent assault.
But minor bumps to the head can also lead to a subdural haematoma in a few cases.
Subdural haematomas usually need to be treated with surgery as soon as possible.
Davina was quick to comment on DJ Spoony’s post, sharing her support by writing: ‘Yayyyyyy!!! Fantastic result !!!!’
The TV presenter, 57, knows all too well about brain surgery, recently revealing she feels like she’s been given a ‘second chance at life’ after surviving a life-threatening brain tumour.
Davina was forced to have surgery last month after doctors discovered a benign tumour on her brain that affects three in a million people.
Zoe Ball was also quick to comment on DJ Spoony’s post, writing: ‘Oh darling. thank goodness you got checked out and fabulous team looked after you. hope you can rest a bit and heal well. mega love to you ❤️’
Kate Lawler penned: ‘So glad you’re okay. I do love a surprise for loved ones. So beautiful xx ❤️’
Paddy McGuinness wrote: ‘Back at it pal.’
DJ Spoony shot to fame as a garage DJ in the Nineties, progressing from pirate radio to become one the first garage DJs to play the music genre on Radio 1.
He went on to front a Five Live phone-in show and hosted the Radio 1 Sunday Breakfast Show.
The DJ also took part in the 2006 series of Strictly Come Dancing, partnering Ola Jordan.
The pair were eliminated from the show in its third week, despite receiving positive comments from the judging panel.
In 2022, DJ Spoony was recognised with a British Empire Medal for his services to charity through music during the Covid pandemic.
Across ten weeks in the 2020 lockdown, he hosted DJ livestreams from his home every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, playing R&B, club classics, soul and UK garage.
The streams, which were broadcast live via Twitch and Instagram, raised more than £20,000 for the NHS and various charities and saw more than one million listeners tune in.
Speaking about receiving an MBE, DJ Spoony confessed: ‘I didn’t think for the life of me that those streams would have the impact that they did. No way could I have imagined it.
‘And I know that’s quite romantic, but I see this award as much as for our community as for me. And that’s largely why I’m accepting it, because I’m a little bit conflicted with the whole thing.
‘But I’m going to take this on behalf of everybody that stuck together and made those afternoons and evenings streaming so pleasant.’
He dedicated his MBE to his late mother, declaring: ‘I learned to dance standing on her feet and she gave me rhythm.’