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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Tina Campbell

Jamie Theakston's Heart Radio replacement revealed as celebs send well-wishes amid cancer battle

Jamie Theakston’s Heart Radio replacement has been confirmed after he announced that he will be taking some time out following a diagnosis of stage one laryngeal cancer.

The 53-year-old broadcaster - who co-hosts Heart Breakfast alongside Amanda Holden - shared the health update in a statement on his social media on Monday.

While he insists that the "prognosis is very positive" and that he is "hoping to be back with you in October", DJ and presenter JK, aka Jason King, will be his replacement as he focuses on his recovery.

Theakston’s post has since been flooded with a number of get well messages from his colleagues and celebrity friends.

Leading the charge was former Spice Girl Emma Bunton, who hosts Heart's Feel Good Weekend on Sundays and used to co-present alongside Theakston, writing: "Love you to bits."

DJ and presenter JK, aka Jason King, will be Jamie Theakston’s replacement (Global / Matt Crossick)

BBC TV and radio presenter Amol Rajan said "All respect and solidarity dude. We are right behind you" while Smooth Breakfast's Jenni Falconer wrote "Get well soon JT. Sending love x".

Theakston has been a fixture on the airwaves and small screen over the years, having presented children's show Live & Kicking alongside Zoe Ball and Top Of The Pops.

TV chef Jamie Oliver wrote "big love brother you got this sending love xxx" and radio and TV star Vicky Pattison said "Sending you so much love Jamie".

Olympian Greg Rutherford wrote: "Wishing you all the best. Get well soon mate."

Capital Breakfast's Sian Welby said: "If anyone can get through this it's you. Sending all the positive vibes your way."

Jamie Theakston pictured with his Heart Radio colleagues Kelly Brook, JK and Amanda Holden (Heart FM)

At the beginning of September, Theakston shared a message on Instagram saying "S000 - a few of you listeners have noticed my voice hasn't sounded right these past few weeks - I've got you to thank ... got it checked - Doctors found a lesion on my vocal chords which I've had removed this weekend -thanks for all the kind messages - should be back on my feet soon - in the meantime...", signing off the message with an emoji with a zipped mouth.

He previously presented on Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 1, and joined Global in 2005.

Laryngeal cancer affects the larynx and according to the NHS website a main symptom is "having a hoarse voice for more than three weeks".

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