BBC Radio 2 DJ ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris, 73, takes break from presenting after rupturing his aorta while out walking
- The 73-year-old hosts The Country Show with Bob Harris on BBC Radio 2
- Mr Harris said he was ‘sorry to say’ he will be off the air for the ‘next few weeks’
- Paul Sexton will present the programme on June 13 and 20. Deputy presenters for further shows are yet to be announced
BBC Radio 2 DJ Bob Harris will be taking a break from the airwaves due to illness – and he is not sure when he will return.
The 73-year-old, known as ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris to fans, hosts The Country Show on BBC Radio 2.
He said in a statement that he was ‘sorry to say’ that he will be off air for the ‘next few weeks’.
The 73-year-old, known as ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris to fans, hosts The Country Show on BBC Radio 2
The 73-year-old hosts The Country Show With Bob Harris on BBC Radio 2, and is stepping down for a while after suffering an aortic dissection.
What is an aortic dissection?
An aortic dissection occurs when the inner layer of the aorta – the largest artery in the body leading from the heart – tears, enabling blood to surge through.
This causes the inner and middle layers of the aorta to separate (dissect).
The condition mostly affects men in their sixties and seventies and can be mistaken for other things early on.
Symptoms can be similar to a heart attack and include sudden severe chest or upper back pain, often described as a tearing or ripping sensation.
An aortic dissection can also cause pain in the jaw, face or back and a feeling of being cold, clammy and sweaty.
Sudden, severe abdominal pain is also a symptom, along with loss of consciousness, shortness of breath, difficulty speaking, loss of vision and sudden weakness or paralysis of one side of the body, similar to a stroke.
Further symptoms include leg pain and difficulty walking.
People are at higher risk of the condition if they have uncontrolled high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, a weakened or bulging artery or a known genetic condition that pushes up the risk.
‘Ten days ago, while out walking, I suffered a tear to my aorta known as an aortic dissection.
‘The aorta is basically the M1 of the body and any damage is regarded as extremely serious.
‘For the past few years I have been walking an average of five miles a day and I am convinced that the level of fitness I have achieved during that time helped save my life.’
He added: ‘It was an incredibly scary moment and I am massively indebted to the ambulance crew who attended so promptly, the intensive care team and the consultants at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, and to my wife Trudie and my wonderful family who have rallied round me with huge love and support.
‘I am not exactly sure when I will be on air again but I am on the road to recovery now and will be back playing music for you on Radio 2 as soon as possible.
‘Thank you for everything.’
Radio 2 head Lewis Carnie said: ‘On behalf of everyone at Radio 2 and our millions of listeners, we wish Bob a very speedy recovery and look forward to welcoming him back to Wogan House when he’s ready.’
The Country Show With Bob Harris is broadcast each Thursday evening from 9pm-10pm.
Paul Sexton will present the programme on June 13 and 20. Deputy presenters for further shows are yet to be announced.
Mr Harris has been broadcasting with the BBC for more than 40 years and received an OBE for services to broadcasting in 2011.
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