Radio 2 legend Bob Harris has revealed his cancer has spread into his upper spine, telling fans: “The past few weeks have proved to be an extremely testing time.”
The 80-year-old, who has been broadcasting on the BBC for 50 years, has been living with prostate cancer since 2007.
He announced last month that he was taking a break from presenting his current programmes, The Country Show and Sounds of the ‘70s, due to setbacks with his health.
Harris has now shared another update on Instagram, explaining that he was hospitalised in March as doctors were “trying to find the reason for the excruciating pain I was feeling in my back”.
“Several scans later, we discovered that my prostate cancer has got into my upper spine… really frightening news,” he continued.
“So, I immediately began a course of radiotherapy - two weeks in hospital in total - to bring things back under control. Thankfully I’m back at home now, on the pathway to recovery and feeling stronger every day.”
Harris added that he has today begun a rehabilitation programme and in the caption, which was accompanied by a picture of himself smiling in the sunshine, he added: “I got out into this glorious weather for the first time with my son, who took the photograph.
“My family has been here for me in a massive way, helping me through one of the most difficult times of my life. I can’t even begin to think of a way to say thank you. I love them so much.
“Helen Thomas [Head of Radio 2] and the @bbcradio2 family have also been supportive beyond words and I know for certain that I’ll be returning to my programmes as soon as I am able.”
Harris added that his “personal target” is to return to his weekly country show by mid-May and Sounds of the ‘70s later in the same month.
Plenty of the star’s BBC colleagues have shared their best wishes in the comments section of his post, with 6Music presenter Lauren Laverne – who took time out to receive treatment following her own cancer diagnosis in 2024 – writing: “Sending lots of love and good luck with your treatment, Bob. Hope things are more manageable for you soon xxx.”
Shaun Keaveny, who is covering the Sounds of the ‘70s, said: “I flimmin LOVE doing it but I’m a fanboy of you and Johnnie [Walker, who previously presented the programme] so we can’t wait to get you back. Only when you’re fully rested of course. Soak up the sun and also all the love everyone sends you all the time.”
“We can’t wait to have you back,” reads a post from the official Radio 2 account. “Get well soon Bob!”
Harris, who co-founded Time Out magazine in 1968, joined the BBC in 1970, and has had various roles across its radio channels in the past 50 years.
Throughout the seventies, he was the host of the award-winning BBC TV music show Old Grey Whistle Test, which saw him interview musicians including John Lennon, Elton John, and David Bowie.
In 2019, Harris took a break from presenting after rupturing his aorta – the main artery in the body – while out walking. He underwent emergency surgery, which he said he was “lucky to survive”.
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