Veteran BBC presenter Nick Owen has shared his relief at successfully coming through surgery for kidney cancer, marking his second battle with the disease in little more than two years.
A Second Cancer Battle
The familiar face of BBC Midlands Today was diagnosed with kidney cancer following a thorough check by his GP. This comes after he was treated for prostate cancer in 2023, from which he made a full recovery and returned to his presenting role. Medical professionals have confirmed that the two cancer diagnoses are not connected.
Owen, 78, underwent the operation before Christmas and is now recuperating at home. "I am so relieved to have come through the operation after a traumatic time, especially after what my wife Vicki and our family went through when I had prostate cancer," he said.
Praise for the NHS and a Platform for Awareness
The broadcaster was effusive in his praise for the National Health Service. "The NHS has been absolutely brilliant – from my GP, who was so thorough in getting me a diagnosis, to all the medics at Russells Hall Hospital. I am forever grateful," Owen stated, adding that while it has been tough, things are now picking up.
This is not the first time Owen has used his public profile to highlight men's health issues. After his prostate cancer diagnosis, he openly discussed it on television, which led to a significant surge in test inquiries. Many viewers later contacted him to thank him for encouraging them to get checked, crediting him with saving their lives.
A Storied Broadcasting Career
Nick Owen has been a mainstay of British broadcasting for more than five decades. He was a pioneer of breakfast television, appearing on the very first Good Morning Britain in 1983. He later teamed up with Anne Diamond on ITV and again for BBC One's Good Morning with Anne and Nick.
His distinguished career has also seen him anchor broadcasts for major events like the Olympics and the World Cup. In recognition of his services to broadcasting, he was awarded an MBE in 2024.
Kay Wright, head of the BBC in the Midlands, expressed the corporation's support: "We are so proud of Nick. He is an outstanding broadcaster with a heart of gold. His BBC colleagues and his devoted Midlands Today viewers have missed him dearly over recent weeks and we are wishing him all the best in his recovery. The red sofa will be here waiting for him when he’s ready."
