BBC Radio presenter Eddie Nestor, 62, steps away from his role after being diagnosed with cancer

By MARK DUELL, DEPUTY CHIEF REPORTER (DIGITAL) Published: 14:44, 1 July 2026 | Updated: 14:58, 1 July 2026 BBC Radio London presenter Eddie Nestor has stepped away from his show after being diagnosed with cancer, asking fans for their 'prayers and encouragement'. The 62-year-old broadcaster and actor revealed he spent both Father's Day and his birthday in hospital and had since undergone his first chemotherapy session. Nestor also thanked his family for being 'the greatest source of strength in my life' and praised BBC colleagues for their 'love and support' in recent weeks. The presenter, who was in TV's Casualty as well as the films Trainspotting and Paddington, asked fans in an Instagram post: 'Please don't feel sorry for me.' Nestor wrote on Monday: 'Greetings. You may have noticed I've been a little quieter than usual. Well, this wasn't quite the June we'd planned. 'I missed my own brunch and ended up spending Father's Day and my birthday in hospital. Life has a funny way of rewriting your diary. 'I've been diagnosed with cancer. The good news is that, thanks to an incredible medical team, I've now had my first chemotherapy treatment. We're thankful, we're hopeful and as a family, we're looking upward and forward.' 'I honestly don't know exactly what the next few months will look like. I'll work when I'm able, post when I feel like it and spend the rest of the time concentrating on getting stronger. BBC presenter Eddie Nestor at the European Diversity Awards in London last November View this post on Instagram Eddie Nestor played a London Underground ticket inspector in the 2014 film Paddington 'There is one thing I do know. The greatest source of strength in my life is my family.' He added that his fitness coach wife Lisa Nestor has been 'quieter too' on social media and encouraged fans to 'encourage her' when she starts posting online again. Nestor, who has presented on BBC Radio London since 2002, is currently having his show covered by Jim Davis and other members of the team. He said: 'As for me, please don't feel sorry for me. I'd much rather have your prayers, your encouragement and the occasional laugh. That's the fuel I need. Nestor also joked about his wife that 'after more than 20 years of me carrying her, it's probably about time she started pulling her own weight'. He concluded: 'Thank you to everyone at the BBC for all your love and support. Thank you to everyone who's already reached out. 'Every epic journey begins with a single step. Well, here's another one. Much love, Eddie.' His BBC London colleague Shay Kaur Grewal spoke about the cancer diagnosis live on air during her afternoon show, saying such discussion was 'not an easy one for me'. She added: 'As you'll know something that I always talk about here on BBC Radio London is the fact that we are very much a family, and this particular news I'm about share is about one of our much loved colleagues and a personal dear friend of mine... Eddie Nestor (back row, left) starred in BBC sketch comedy show The Real McCoy in 1990s Nestor played Cyril James in the BBC's hospital drama Casualty for 36 episodes in the 1980s 'I'm talking about the fantastic Eddie Nestor. I'm certain many of you tuned into BBC Radio London over the coming weeks have had a lot of questions, and I'm sharing this news with you now on Radio London, as Eddie has given us permission to do so, and he also has shared this news publicly today.' She then read his social media statement to listeners, adding: 'So, if you are tuned in to BBC Radio London, as I say, it's not something I wanted to do, but of course it's important to share, as many have wanted to know, the news that Eddie has announced today that he's been diagnosed with cancer.' Nestor is also known as an actor who played Cyril James in Casualty for 36 episodes in the 1980s and had small roles in Trainspotting in 1996 and Paddington in 2014, in which he played a London Underground ticket inspector. Other TV appearances over the decades have included Desmond's, The Real McCoy, EastEnders, The Bill, Death In Paradise, Dead Ringers and Canterbury Tales. Nestor was appointed an MBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours List for 2018 for his charity work and services to radio. BBC Radio London editor Sara David said: 'Everyone at BBC Radio London, along with his loyal listeners, is sending Eddie and his family our support and best wishes.' 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