BBC news presenter told he's 'saved lives' after given cancer diagnosis 'with no symptoms'

Presenters Nick Owen (Left) and Mary Rhodes (Right) on BBC Midlands Today
-Credit: (Image: BBC)


Veteran Midlands Today presenter Nick Owen described it as "humbling" and "overwhelming" to have influenced men to get tested for prostate cancer after revealing his own diagnosis.

Diagnosed last year, Owen expressed he was "absolutely thrilled" and "stunned" to receive an MBE from the Princess Royal for his services in broadcasting and charity, bestowed at Windsor Castle today (October 29).

Following the investiture, the 76 year old spoke of the remarkable reception when he disclosed his diagnosis and shared his ordeal across BBC Midlands Today and BBC Breakfast in August 2023.

Despite exhibiting "no symptoms at all" at the time of his diagnosis, Owen has been openly encouraging other men to undergo testing for the ailment.

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Since his public announcement, responses have been "absolutely phenomenal" with Owen recalling how "Literally thousands of people wrote and got in touch, whether it was males or wives or mothers, saying ‘you’ve finally persuaded my husband, brother, son to do something about it’, and the response was staggering."

Owen continued to share heartfelt stories: "Only last week I met someone, it was very humbling, they said I saved his life because he went and had a PSA [prostate-specific antigen test] because of what I said on television and turned out he’d got it and he’s had an operation."

He is also set to meet another individual who feels that Owen's appeal played a vital role in saving his life, saying: "And I’m meeting someone else in about a week’s time, similarly who says that I contributed to helping save his life because he went and has a PSA as a result of my appeal and he was diagnosed. When asked how it felt to speak to people who say he helped save their lives, Owen said: ".

When discussing the impact of having people say he played a role in saving their lives, Owen said: "It’s very humbling, overwhelming, and very fulfilling."

He shared how the hardships endured by his family led to positive outcomes: "It’s good to say, after all we went through as a family, something good came out of it, something positive and that’s a great feeling."

Talking about his own health challenges, Owen described the moment of his diagnosis as "pretty difficult time" and "frightening" yet he now reports that his prognosis is "looking very good."

On raising awareness for early detection and testing for prostate cancer, Owen expressed his satisfaction with the increased discourse: "I’m really glad it’s so much more talked about now than it would have been a few years ago, because we men are quite reluctant to talk about private things in the way that women do – we don’t, and I hope that’s changing."

The ex-chairman of Luton Town Football Club is equally noted for his work with Anne Diamond; together they hosted TV-am and had their own programme on BBC in the 90s titled Good Morning With Anne And Nick.

Continuing to reflect on his career, Owen conveyed deep appreciation for his long-standing role in television, saying: "I’m very grateful" for the past 46 years. He added enthusiastically about his experiences: "You get to interview so many people – I think I’ve interviewed seven or eight prime ministers now as well as top showbiz stars from around the world and sports stars and so on."

Emphasising his gratitude further, he added: "I’m just grateful for so many different aspects of my life, the great variety, the opportunities and the people I’ve met and the events I’ve been to."

He closed with a humble reflection: "I think I’m a lucky boy."

Alongside his work with Prostate Cancer UK, Owen also serves as a patron for Baby Lifeline, a charity dedicated to improving safety for pregnant individuals and newborns. He has also been a long-standing supporter of the bereavement charity Edward’s Trust, backing their cause for over three decades.