health battle
BBC star flooded with support from worried fans as he returns to hospital for another operation – after surgery ordeal
The radio veteran has been plagued with health issues since August
BBC broadcaster John Spencer-Barnes has once again found himself at the center of an outpouring of support from fans as he heads back into the hospital for another operation.
The veteran radio newsreader, 63, shared the update on his social media account.
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Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, John wrote: "I had nothing better to do today so I decided to check into Burnley General Hospital for an operation.
"I’ll see you on the other side."
The post quickly received replies from concerned fans offering their best wishes.
One person wrote: "Hope all goes well."
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Another exclaimed: "Speedy recovery John!"
A third joked: "If you want some grapes and a bottle of wine sneaked in I'm only 15 minutes away from Burnley. Hope all goes well.."
John’s hospital visit comes months after he had what he previously described as a "terrifying" surgery.
During that difficult period, the Dudley-born broadcaster was also processing devastating personal news, which he kept private to protect those involved.
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Reflecting on that challenging time, John admitted he was far from his usually optimistic self, telling fans: "I’ve had some news which has devastated me and has been very hard to process...To make matters worse I’m going into hospital tomorrow for an operation which is terrifying me."
Despite his struggles, John returned to work shortly after, sharing his joy at being back behind the microphone at BBC Radio 5 Live.
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John began his career as a freelance broadcaster at BRMB in Birmingham and then moved to the experimental BBC service WM Heartlands in East Birmingham between 1989 and 1991.
He was involved in the campaign for community radio and was News Editor of the UK's first community radio station, Wear FM in Sunderland.
He was the launch manager of Welsh commercial station Radio Maldwyn and 107.9 Huddersfield FM in West Yorkshire.
In 1994 he became News Editor of 97.4 Rock FM and Red Rose 999 in Preston, Lancashire.
While at Rock FM, he co-ordinated the EMAP Radio response to the IRA bombing of Manchester.
The bomb had taken Manchester's Key 103 and Piccadilly Magic 1152 off air.
He arranged an emergency news service for the Manchester stations and a replacement radio service from a studio in Preston.
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His more recent career has been at the BBC where he has broadcast at BBC Hereford and Worcester, BBC Radio Berkshire and was the presenter of the Late Show on BBC Radio Lancashire, which was simulcast to BBC Radio Manchester, for more than a decade.
John is now the BBC reporter for Lancaster, Lancashire and Morecambe Bay.
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