Mike Parry, a regular guest panellist on Channel 5's Jeremy Vine, returned to the show on Monday after undergoing radiotherapy for skin cancer. The broadcaster, who also appears on GB News, shared an update on his health and issued a stark warning to viewers about sun protection.
Parry's Radiotherapy Update
Opening the programme, guest host Charlotte Hawkins from Good Morning Britain welcomed Parry back, saying: "Mike, it is lovely to see you here. I know you've been talking about your skin cancer diagnosis, and I know you've been receiving your first round of radiotherapy last week, haven't you? So how are things?"
Parry replied: "I feel very well, thank you. I can't thank The Royal Marsden Hospital enough for what they did for me last week. It was five consecutive days, a blast of radiation, once a day, a serious blast and then other procedures. But, I feel good at the end of it, I feel mentally very well. I know I was in the hands of some of the best people in the world."
He noted that he felt "gifted" that the hospital was located in the same town where he lives, and thanked viewers for their well-wishes.
Warning About Sun Exposure
Parry then issued a stark warning, emphasising the importance of sun cream. He said: "I came out on Friday afternoon, on Sunday I was walking through my town, it was still a very hot day, and I saw people sitting on benches with no cover on their heads. I saw people walking around in t-shirts, and I saw people lying on the grass in parks. Can I tell you, I have skin cancer. The doctors told me it was because of the sun. Even though I stay out of the sun as much as I can, I still got it. So, can I say to everybody, please, please, take the greatest precaution against that big yellow ball in the sky, the sun. It will get you; you have a chance to stop it."
Charlotte Hawkins highlighted that while many people remember sun cream on holiday, it is often forgotten in the UK. Parry agreed, saying: "I think people take it for granted. I've never put sun cream on in my life because I've never been on the beach since I was about five years of age. But, the doctors said to me, if you live on planet earth, sun rays will affect your skin, just by walking down the street, just by going about your everyday business."
Jeremy Vine airs weekdays on Channel 5 at 9:15am.
