Mark Radcliffe: Radio 2 Folk Show host shares 'cancerous tongue and lymph nodes' diagnosis
MARK RADCLIFFE, host of BBC Radio 2’s Folk Show, has revealed he will be stepping away from the spotlight for some time as he told fans he has “some cancerous tongue and lymph node issues”.
Mark Radcliffe announces short break after cancer diagnosis
The 60-year-old broadcaster told his 28,000 Twitter followers: “Now — here’s a thing — I’m sad to say that I’ve got some cancerous tongue and lymph node issues and so, as I’m sure you’ll understand, I’m going to be disappearing for a while.”
The BBC radio presenter assured fans: “It’s all been caught very early and so everything should be fine.
“All being well I’ll be back in action in the new year — or sooner if I feel well enough — but I will be back — you can depend on it — I just can’t say exactly when that will be.
“So you won’t hear from me for a while now and therefore… well… Merry Christmas I guess. Life eh?” he added.
Mark’s famous friends and fans rushed to comment with their well wishes after he spoke out about his cancer, with Claudia Winkleman writing: “Sending so much love.”
Radio presenter Stephanie Hirst commented: “Get well soon Mark. Hope you have a speedy recovery.”
BBC Radio 2 also tweeted from the official account: “Get well soon Mark, everyone at Radio 2 wishes you a speedy recovery.”
His colleague at the station, Ken Bruce, said: “So sorry to hear this. Hope you’re back in action very soon.”
A BBC spokesperson said: “Everyone at Radio 2 and 6 Music wishes Mark well and we look forward to welcoming him back when he’s ready.”
The Folk Show will be presented by Ricky Ross for the next few weeks.
All well as the Folk Show, Mark also co-hosts BBC Radio 6 Music afternoon programme Radcliffe and Maconie with Stuart Maconie.
The DJ, who previously found fame with his band Shirehorses, regularly appears on the BBC’s average of Glastonbury Festival.
He began his radio career at BBC Radio 1 back in 1983 and made the move to Radio 2 in 2004.
The DJ is also a writer, penning the autobiographical Showbusiness: The Diary of a Rock ’N’ Roll Nobody in 1998.
He has also published Thank You For the Days and another memoir, Reelin’ in the Years, released in 2001.
Mark won Celebrity Stars In Their Eyes with his impersonation of Shane MacGowan back in 2006.
In 2011 the star, who is also a member of a Dr. Feelgood tribute band, The Big Figures, recorded his first ever solo album.
The Bolton-born broadcaster is married with three daughters.