BBC and Radio 1 presenter Reggie Yates has opened up about undergoing surgery to remove a tumour from his hand, describing the past year as one of the 'hardest moments' of his life.
In a candid health update shared on Sunday via his Substack newsletter and Instagram, the broadcaster detailed his journey from discovering the lump to his subsequent recovery. Yates, known for presenting Top of the Pops and numerous BBC documentaries, stated he is now ready to 'celebrate the battles won' and 'heal and move on' from the cancer scare.
The Tumour Discovery and Emotional Wait
Reggie Yates revealed that he found the lump last year, which he described as his own 'little lump of uncertainty'. He explained the tumour was a collection of cells that could have been either benign or cancerous, leading to an anxious week of waiting for results.
'I wasn't ashamed, I was a willing participant in an uncoupling,' he wrote, reflecting on the period with a mix of gravity and his characteristic humour. He admitted to being scared but also recalled struggling not to laugh while wearing a hospital gown and compression socks.
From Fear to Fulfilment: A Year of Transformation
The broadcaster highlighted the profound personal journey he experienced over the following months. '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,' Yates shared.
This statement underscored a significant year of both health challenges and professional achievement for the presenter, who has diversified into writing and directing.
Support from Fans and a Career Reflection
After sharing his news on Instagram with the caption 'NEW YEAR, OLD TUMOUR… Funny what you can learn from a little lump of cells,' fans and friends flooded the comments with messages of support. Well-wishes included hopes for a 'year of healing recovery and abundance' and reminders to 'celebrate the silent battles won.'
Reflecting on his long career, which began with a television appearance at age eight, Yates told The Guardian he now has a 'thick skin'. He enjoys the variety of his work, which can swing from serious documentaries to voicing the character of Rastamouse. 'The best part of my life now as a writer and director is the variety,' he said.
With the surgery behind him, Reggie Yates is now focused on recovery and the future, marking the end of a deeply challenging chapter and the start of a new phase focused on health and continued creativity.
