Sports broadcasting legend Danny Kelly revealed he had been diagnosed with throat cancer on Wednesday afternoon.
The 69-year-old broadcaster announced he was stepping away from his career while he undergoes medical treatment.
He has worked for Talksport since 2007, presenting the Trans-Europe Express on Sunday nights, and is a regular face on Hawksbee and Jacobs.
During his on-air announcement, the veteran presenter took the moment to deliver a powerful message to his audience.
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.”
Sports broadcasting legend Danny Kelly revealed he had been diagnosed with throat cancer on Wednesday afternoon
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GETTY
Kelly added: “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.
Danny Kelly announced he was stepping away from his career while he undergoes medical treatment
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TALKSPORT
He continued: “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.”
Kelly concluded: “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.”
Beyond radio, Kelly boasts an impressive journalism pedigree, previously serving as editor of NME during the late 1980s through to 1992, and also held the editorial reins at Q magazine.
His writing has appeared in The Times, and he currently presents View from the Lane, a podcast dedicated to Tottenham Hotspur.
