Milton Jones has revealed he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and is preparing to undergo surgery.
Milton Jones, 60, announced the worrying news in a statement on Monday as he cancelled a string of tour days.
While Milton Jones declared his cancer is ‘treatable’, he said he needed to focus on his recovery after surgery as he vowed to return to the stage as soon as possible.
He said in a statement: ‘I’m so sorry about this, but I need to announce the cancellation of several dates from my ongoing Ha!Milton live tour.
‘The affected shows are in Leeds, Coventry, Basingstoke, Sterts, Launceston, Durham, Hexham, Ilkley, Wakefield, Lichfield, Tunbridge Wells, Portsmouth, and Lyme Regis which were all due to take place this summer.
‘This difficult decision comes following a recent diagnosis of treatable prostate cancer. I’ll be undergoing surgery soon and will need time afterwards to fully recover.
‘In addition, the Summer dates in Colchester, Bridlington, Stroud, and London will be rescheduled to the Autumn.
‘All dates currently scheduled for the Autumn leg of the tour remain unaffected. Ticket holders for the cancelled shows will be contacted directly by the venue box office.
‘Thanks for your support and respecting my privacy during this time. This decision has not been taken lightly. Trust me.
‘Abnormal service will resume as soon as possible and I’m looking forward to being back out on the road again soon – though probably not on a bike! Milton x’
Fans flocked to the comments to share well-wishes following his shock cancer diagnosis, including Sir Chris Hoy.
The Olympian, 49, who has terminal prostate cancer, wrote: ‘Really sorry to hear it mate, best of luck ❤️’
The legendary cyclist was diagnosed in September 2023 after a routine check on a shoulder strain led doctors to discover he had a tumour, before a further scan revealed the primary cancer to be in his prostate which had spread to his bones.
Despite undergoing chemotherapy, the seven-time Olympic medalist was told he had only two to four years to live after making the prognosis public last October.
Others wrote: ‘All the very best for your surgery and subsequent recovery x’,
‘Best of luck Milton. Get yourself well and you’ll be back on the road soon enough’,
‘Health before humour Milton wishing you a speedy recovery sir’.
Milton’s career skyrocketed after he won the coveted Perrier Award at the Festival in 1996.
Nowadays, he is renowned for his one-liners on BBC Two’s Mock The Week.