BBC Radio legend issues health update to fans following 'terrifying surgery'
BBC Radio star John Spencer-Barnes has spoken after dealing with "devastating" personal news and "terrifying surgery".
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John Spencer-Barnes returned to work today after explaining why he wasn't feeling his "usual optimistic self" after he recieved "devastating news that was "very hard to process".
John, best known for reading news bulletins across local BBC radio stations and Radio 5 Live, also shared that he had been awaiting surgery, which he said was "terrifying" him.
Last week, he told his X followers: "I’ve had some news that has devastated me and has been very hard to process. I can’t elaborate to respect the individual’s privacy."
He continued: "To make matters worse, I’m going into hospital tomorrow for an operation which is terrifying me. I’m not my usual optimistic self right now."
John took to X yesterday to share a health update with the online community and confirm his return to work.
He wrote: "I’m at BBC Radio 5 Live reading bulletins over the next couple of weeks. It’s really good to be back."
John has not yet shared any further details of his personal situation or the reason behind his surgery.
However in an update posted on X on Thursday (August 15), he revealed the surgery had been postponed due to an infection.
He said: "Thank you for so many kind messages about my surgery which was due to take place today. The procedure has been delayed as I have an infection that needs to be sorted first."
John was born in Dudley and studied at Wolverhampton University
He began his career as a freelance broadcaster at BRMB in Birmingham and then moved to the experimental BBC service WM Heartlands in East Birmingham between 1989 and 1991.
He was involved in the campaign for community radio and was News Editor of the UK's first community radio station, Wear FM in Sunderland.
He was the launch manager of Welsh commercial station Radio Maldwyn and 107.9 Huddersfield FM in West Yorkshire.
In 1994, he became News Editor of 97.4 Rock FM and Red Rose 999 in Preston, Lancashire.
He is a Trustee of the search and rescue charity Bay Search & Rescue which operates on the sands of Morecambe Bay and elsewhere in the country. He is also the town crier of St Anne's on the Sea.
In February 2021, it was reported that John was moving to a freelance status and would also present a regular slot on the Lancashire station Rossendale Radio.
