BBC and Radio 1 presenter Reggie Yates has shared a personal health update, revealing he underwent surgery to remove a tumour from his hand. The broadcaster described the experience as one of the 'hardest moments' of his life.
A Tumour Discovery and a Year of Uncertainty
In a candid post on his Substack platform this Sunday, Yates opened up about finding a lump last year. He wrote about the anxiety of waiting to discover if the growth was benign or cancerous, referring to it as wearing his 'own little lump of uncertainty'.
The Radio 1 star stated he has 'learned a lot' from the ordeal, which involved a tense week awaiting results. Despite the fear, he recalled moments of levity, struggling not to laugh while wearing a hospital gown and compression socks.
From Fear to Fulfilment: A Hand's Journey
Yates reflected on the profound personal journey he underwent in less than a year. 'You learn a lot about who you're becoming when you go from fears of losing the use of your hand in February, to delivering your publisher a novel typed by that same hand in December,' he shared.
Now on the other side of surgery, the presenter said he is ready to 'celebrate the battles won' and to 'heal and move on' from the cancer scare. He marked the new year by sharing the news on Instagram with the caption: 'NEW YEAR, OLD TUMOUR… Funny what you can learn from a little lump of cells.'
Outpouring of Support and a Career of Resilience
Fans and friends quickly flooded his social media with messages of support, wishing him a year of 'healing recovery and abundance' and praising him for celebrating 'the silent battles won'.
This health challenge comes during a long and varied career for Yates, who first appeared on television at age eight. He rose to fame presenting shows like Top of the Pops and fronting BBC documentaries. He humorously recalled an early awkward interview with Sting, where he was dressed in a brown corduroy suit.
Now, with over three decades in the public eye, Yates says he has developed a 'thick skin'. He enjoys the variety of his work as a writer and director, which can swing from serious documentaries about racism to voicing the character of Rastamouse. His recent experience has added a new layer of perspective to his life and work.
