BBC radio host Mark Radcliffe diagnosed with mouth cancer
Written by News on 04/10/2018
Mark Radcliffe has said he will be taking time off from his radio shows so he can be treated for “cancerous tongue and lymph node issues”.
The 60-year-old, who presents BBC Radio 2’s Folk Show and works for 6 Music, reassured fans that he had received his diagnosis early – and he hopes to return to the airwaves in the new year.
He tweeted: “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 to get that all sorted out.
“It’s all been caught very early and so everything should be fine.”
Radcliffe has worked for the BBC in various roles since the 1980s – including a brief spell hosting the Radio 1 Breakfast Show in the 1990s.
Together with The Fall guitarist Marc Riley, he was part of a presenting duo known as Mark and Lard. Low ratings meant they were replaced in the coveted breakfast slot by Kevin Greening and Zoe Ball after less than eight months.
Ricky Ross is set to present Radcliffe’s Folk Show in his absence.
Radcliffe added: “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?”
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.”
(c) Sky News 2018: BBC radio host Mark Radcliffe diagnosed with mouth cancer
