Iconic Radio 1 DJ Andy Kershaw confirms cancer diagnosis and is now “unable to walk”

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Andy Kershaw, a former BBC Radio 1 DJ, has announced he’s fighting cancer that impacts his spine and has resulted in him losing the ability to walk.

I was really saddened to hear that Simon Kershaw is undergoing treatment. His friend and podcast producer, Peter Everett, shared the news on Facebook – Simon’s been dealing with a lot, including chemo, radiotherapy, and physiotherapy. Sending him all my best wishes for a full recovery – he’s a fantastic broadcaster and a true film enthusiast!

People were worried about the 66-year-old because his podcast hadn’t been updated in over half a year.

Everett shared a comment from Kershaw, who, even after receiving his diagnosis, still managed to keep his sense of humor.

“I am in good spirits, feeling very positive and planning another podcast,” he said.

I’m hoping to outlive Benjamin Netanyahu, Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, and Ant & Dec. Knowing they’re still around gives me a good goal to aim for!

Everett shared that his friend Andy is facing some challenges. They haven’t been able to record any podcasts for the past six months, but they’re incredibly thankful for the continued support of their listeners and patrons.

Kershaw started his career working in radio. In 1984, he joined BBC2’s Whistle Test as a presenter, and a year later, he landed his own show on BBC Radio 1.

For fifteen years, he hosted a music show that stood out for its focus on African sounds, reflecting his dissatisfaction with popular Anglo-American music.

Throughout his career as a broadcast journalist, he contributed to BBC Radio 3 and 4, reporting on international events. He covered significant stories such as the Rwandan genocide, the Angolan Civil War in 1996, the situation in Sierra Leone in 2001, and frequently reported from Haiti.

In 2021, Andy Kershaw started a podcast to recapture the spirit of his popular former show on BBC Radio 1. He simply describes the podcast as playing “some bloody great records.”

His podcast currently has 37 episodes available on its website. The most recent episode was released in June 2025, and while Kershaw and Everett have said a new one is on the way, they haven’t announced a release date yet.

Authors

Phoebe Kowhai BarnesFreelance Writer

Phoebe Kowhai Barnes is a freelance writer specializing in pop culture and entertainment for TopMob. Before that, she was a Senior Assistant Editor at The Tab, where she oversaw their local team. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of Nottingham.

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2026-01-29 17:04