Danny Kelly, who has been part of the talkSPORT team since 2007 announced the news on-air on Wednesday afternoon as he urged other people to get checked for signs of the disease
A radio host has announced he is battling cancer as he takes a step back from broadcasting. talkSPORT’s Danny Kelly told listeners of his throat cancer diagnosis.
He made the announcement live on air earlier today. The 69-year-old presents the popular Trans-Europe Express on Sunday nights and is a regular face on Hawksbee and Jacobs. He said: “I need to talk plainly to you all now because the majority of our listeners, better or worse, are men. And men are often very difficult people to talk about and talk to and talk with about medical issues.
“So I don’t intend to mince my words here. I’m going to tell you that I am a sick man. Six weeks ago, I went to the doctor, hat on the side of my head, something going on with my eating. I thought it was probably acid reflux and he would give me a big bag of Gaviscon. Other tablets are available. Instead, it turns out that I have cancer.
“To be specific, I have cancer of the oesophagus, a really dangerous thing. Now look, that’s the bad news. The less bad news, because it isn’t really good news, is that after another long series of tests, after a very tense three or four weeks waiting for results, the medics say that the thing hasn’t spread inside my body and that they can and they will help me.
“What I’m facing, to be truthful with you all again, is a tough and lengthy programme of treatment. There will be chemicals, there will be surgery, and there will be chemicals again.
“It is a hard road, but one that the doctors are hopeful that will see me emerge recovered and healthy at the far end. Now, obviously, there will be times during this, whole stretches of time where I won’t be fit to broadcast.
“But I want to say here that talkSPORT have been absolutely amazing about this, as I guess they would be, and they will let me decide when and if I’m okay to talk to you.
“I want to do that and broadcast onwardly because I enjoy it, because I need to have something to look forward into the future, and because therefore, at a time when my physical health’s under attack, it will help my mental health. And I thank them for the opportunity they’ve given me to make up my mind about that.
“Now, look, this isn’t just about me. I’ve learned something really incredibly important in the last few weeks. I think I knew it, but it’s been nailed home to me.
“If you feel something just isn’t right in your body, I don’t mean you’ve got a hangnail or a bit of earwax or something, but if you know something is not quite right in your body, for God’s sake, go to the doctor. Get yourself checked out.
“99 per cent of the time, it will be nothing. But if it is something, the sooner it’s caught, the better the chance of getting it sorted out. Get yourself checked out.
“So that’s it, my friends. You’ll be hearing me less and less regularly as I concentrate on letting the fabulous medical people do their stuff.
“Meanwhile, your prayers, best wishes, positive vibes, whatever you can, will be gratefully accepted.
“Thanks for listening to this, which I know hasn’t been easy, and for listening to me and Charlie today. Hopefully, with a bit of luck, and the genius of the doctors, we’ll do it all again real soon and long into the future.
“God bless you all. Cheers for now.”
Kelly has been with talkSPORT since 2007. In addition to his radio work, Kelly is a well-renowned journalist best known for editing the music and pop culture magazine NME from the late 1980s until 1992, as well as Q magazine.
The avid Spurs fan has also written for The Times and hosts Spurs podcast, View from the Lane.
The talkSPORT website says: “Everyone at talkSPORT wishes Danny the best with his treatment and hopes he will be back on the air very soon.”