BBC Radio 4 star and comedian Mark Steel has revealed that he ignored a common cancer symptom just weeks before he was diagnosed with the life-threatening illness

Beloved BBC personality Mark Steel has candidly shared his initial dismissal of a potentially serious cancer symptom not long before being diagnosed with throat cancer. In an intimate conversation with The Times, in advance of his new memoir’s release, the respected figure behind ‘Mark Steel’s In Town’ on BBC Radio 4 recalled finding a lump on his neck following the conclusion of his marriage.

Despite initial hopes that it would diminish on its own, the lump grew larger over two weeks, leading to a diagnosis of the life-threatening disease. Times journalist Helen Rumbelow pointed out that, although the comedian has made a full recovery, the illness has taken its toll.

She described how, “His voice is barely audible and he pauses between sentences to tackle the job of swallowing.”

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Rumbelow playfully noted the dramatic change from his characteristic south east accent, commenting that “For me Steel is synonymous with his booming estuary accent, a voice as strong and steely as his political views.

Instead I am talking to someone who sounds like a whispering Leonard Cohen recording a sex tape.”

Despite the 64 year old’s full recovery from the disease, it appears that his voice is not the only thing affected.

Helen noticed that the comedian struggled to sip water and had even developed a special technique to do so, according to Bristol Live, reports the Mirror.

He also made the concerning admission that he hadn’t eaten in days due to his health issues but reassured that it “isn’t the cancer coming back”.

The NHS reports approximately 2,000 new cases of this condition each year in the UK, with men being more prone to it than women.

Following his own show, The Mark Steel Solution, on BBC Radio 5 in 1992, the comedian went on to appear on various shows, including Have I Got News For You, Room 101, Mock the Week, and the Graham Norton Show.

Certain lifestyle choices, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and a diet lacking fruits and vegetables, can heighten the risk of developing the disease.

Throat cancer symptoms according to the NHS include;