Murray Walker has been diagnosed with cancer.
The 89-year-old Formula One commentator said on monday night he had a form of lymphatic system cancer.
“They’ve caught it incredibly early,” he said. “It’s treatable, the doctors say my condition is mild and I’m very hopeful.”
Walker was diagnosed with the disease following tests after he broke his pelvis in a fall in May on a cruise down the Rhine.
The broadcaster, who lives in Hampshire, is to have a programme of chemotherapy over the next few months and has cancelled plans to attend the British Grand Prix at the end of June.
Walker was the voice of Formula One for more than 30 years, first with the BBC and then with ITV.
He became famous for his high-energy commentary style which often led to him mangling his words. One classic example is: “Unless I am very much mistaken… and yes, I am very much mistaken!”
He retired from full-time commentary after the 2001 US Grand Prix but has continued to work in F1. Since the BBC regained the rights to the sport at the start of the 2009 season, he has been involved in a series of features on the BBC Sport website.
The lymphatic system is a series of fine tubes that circulates lymph – a colourless liquid containing a high number of white blood cells – around the body. - Daily Mail