Just days after confessing he ‘doesn’t know how many more years’ he can keep broadcasting, Trevor Nelson has pulled out of his BBC Radio 2 show to deal with a mystery health issue.
The 62-year-old DJ and presenter, who celebrated 30 years at the BBC earlier this year, told his Instagram followers on Friday that he is ‘taking a little break from my work commitments’ after a routine check-up led to follow-up tests. ‘As I’m sure you can appreciate with health issues, it’s important to deal with facts and not speculate,’ he wrote. ‘So I’m concentrating on getting better, being back to 100% me and to getting back behind the mic and the decks.’
“BBC Radio 2's Trevor Nelson takes break after health scare, following routine tests.”
Nelson, a champion of black music who also hosts on BBC Radio 1Xtra, had been off air for several days. His absence came hours after he was honoured with a special award at the Television and Radio Industries Club (Tric) Awards, marking 40 years in the industry. Accepting the prize, he told the audience: ‘I used to have a little transistor radio, I never thought I could do this for a living, I was just a fan of music. But radio is my passion … I don’t know how many more years I can do but, I love every single moment of it.’
The news prompted an outpouring of support from music stars and fellow broadcasters. Singer Beverley Knight wrote: ‘Health. First and always.’ Lemar posted: ‘Big love Trev. Rest up.’ Fleur East added: ‘Take your time. Health is everything.’ Corinne Bailey Rae praised him for ‘listening to your body’. Lauren Laverne of 6 Music and Radio 4 sent ‘lots of love’ and urged him to ‘take it one step at a time’.
BBC Radio 2 confirmed replacements for Nelson’s weekday 2pm-4pm slot: Clara Amfo will cover next week, followed by DJ Spoony until further notice. The BBC’s director of music, Lorna Clarke, said: ‘Everyone at BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 1Xtra wishes Trevor a very speedy recovery and we all look forward to him returning to his shows whenever he is ready.’ Vernon Kay paid tribute on his show, calling Nelson ‘a stalwart broadcaster’ and adding: ‘I know that this challenge is something that Trevor is gonna face head on.’
Listeners can still hear Nelson’s voice this Sunday, when a pre-recorded edition of ‘The Music Is Black’ concert from Hackney Empire – a celebration of black music in Britain – airs on BBC Radio 2.