BBC Radio London legend Eddie Nestor has stepped away from his show after being diagnosed with cancer. The 62-year-old actor, comedian, and radio host shared the news in an emotional Instagram post, urging fans "please don't feel sorry for me." He confirmed he has started chemotherapy and is focusing on recovery.
BBC Confirms Break
The BBC confirmed Nestor will take a break from work while undergoing treatment. "Our friend and colleague Eddie Nestor has announced that he will be away from Radio London for a period of time while he receives treatment for cancer," BBC London posted on Instagram. "Everyone at BBC London sends Eddie and his family our love and support."
Nestor's Announcement
On Monday, Nestor wrote: "Greetings. You may have noticed I've been a little quieter than usual. Well... this wasn't quite the June we'd planned. I missed my own brunch and ended up spending Father's Day and my birthday in hospital. Life has a funny way of rewriting your diary. I've been diagnosed with cancer. The good news is that, thanks to an incredible medical team, I've now had my first chemotherapy treatment. We're thankful, we're hopeful and as a family, we're looking upward and forward."
He added: "I honestly don't know exactly what the next few months will look like. I'll work when I'm able, post when I feel like it and spend the rest of the time concentrating on getting stronger. There is one thing I do know. The greatest source of strength in my life is my family."
Support from Colleagues
Nestor acknowledged his wife Lisa, a fitness coach, has been "quieter too" on social media and urged fans to "encourage her" when she posts again. He joked that "after more than twenty years of me carrying her, it's probably about time she started pulling her own weight." He continued: "As for me, please don't feel sorry for me. I'd much rather have your prayers, your encouragement and the occasional laugh. That's the fuel I need. Thank you to everyone at the BBC for all your love and support. Thank you to everyone who's already reached out. Every epic journey begins with a single step. Well, here's another one. Much love, Eddie."
BBC London colleague Shay Kaur Grewal discussed his diagnosis live on air during her afternoon show. In a moving moment, she said: "This next part of the show, it's not an easy one for me. As you'll know something that I always talk about here on BBC Radio London is the fact that we are very much a family, and this particular news I'm about share is about one of our much loved colleagues and a personal dear friend of mine... I'm talking about the fantastic Eddie Nestor." She read his statement to listeners and added: "So, if you are tuned in to BBC Radio London, as I say, it's not something I wanted to do, but of course it's important to share, as many have wanted to know, the news that Eddie has announced today that he's been diagnosed with cancer."
Career Highlights
Nestor is best known for his acting roles in 1990s television shows like Desmond's and The Real McCoy. He was appointed an MBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours List for 2018 for his charity work and services to radio.
