Former BBC sports presenter Steve Rider reveals he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer – and says it is thanks to his colleague Nick Owen that he got checked

Former BBC Sport presenter Steve Rider revealed he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer – and thanked his colleague Nick Owen for encouraging him to get checked.

Mr Rider, 73, told BBC Breakfast that Mr Owen’s appearance on the show, in which he spoke about his own battle with the disease, had opened his eyes.

Mr Owen, 75, revealed in August that he was suffering from “extensive” and “aggressive” prostate cancer – adding he had had no symptoms and it had “come out of the blue”.

Mr Rider said this morning: “I know you had Nick Owen here a few weeks ago and if he’s watching, send him my best wishes and thanks – because they’re people you know, maybe from the TV screen, or a Friend down at the pub.” really triggers the thought, “Maybe I should get checked.”

“This happened to me – Nick’s experience resonated with me.” I had a good friend in the village who had a random check-up – without an appointment – and was diagnosed with a major prostate problem.

Former BBC sports presenter Steve Rider (pictured) revealed he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer – and thanked fellow broadcaster Nick Owen for encouraging him to get checked

Nick Owen, 75, revealed in August that he was suffering from “extensive” and “aggressive” prostate cancer – adding he had no symptoms and it had come “out of the blue”.

Gabby Logan, Steve Rider and Jim Rosenthal prepare for the 2006 World Championships

Mr Rider (pictured today) said this morning: “I know you had Nick Owen here a few weeks ago and if he’s watching send him my best wishes and thanks.”

“We all went and had ourselves examined. My reading was a little high but we can live with it – no problems and no symptoms.”

He added: “Luckily my wife is a lot more sensible and has a lot more understanding of these things.” So we went and did the scan, a few x-rays etc and then a biopsy too.

“By this point I was pretty well versed in the whole system – so I joined Jeff Stelling’s charity walk in memory of our good friend Bill Turnbull, who wasn’t quite so lucky, and we did a walk up to Wickham and over the course of Time.” that met. “A lot of people have had the same experience.”

Prostate cancer claimed the life of BBC Breakfast presenter Bill Turnbull, who died last year aged 66 after a five-year battle with prostate cancer.

Mr Rider said he had no symptoms and was not expecting a diagnosis.

“I got the results of my biopsy the next day and correctly assumed I would be looked after for the next six months, regular check-ups and so on, and then I came in and said, ‘No, we’re going to have to operate on you’ as soon as possible possible. You know you need to clear your calendar for the next three weeks.

“It’s all contained in the prostate, so we have the opportunity to do major surgery and heal the whole thing that way.”

“As it progresses further, the future looks a little bleaker for people, but we managed to recognize in time that surgery is really going to turn this on its head.”

This comes after Mr Owen revealed in August that he was suffering from “extensive” and “aggressive” prostate cancer – and said a specialist had told him he had the disease “fully under control”.

Mr Rider said he had no symptoms and was not expecting a diagnosis

He said the prognosis was “probably the worst day of my life.”

Mr Owen says his wife played a crucial role in his recovery from cancer and remains his biggest supporter during this “very, very difficult time”.

Mr Owen revealed his wife’s reflexology played an important role in his recovery as it supported him in his battle with cancer which required his prostate to be removed.

“When I came home, she had to do a lot of medical things to take care of me, including giving me a shot once a day for about a month – and she has no experience with that,” he said.

“I certainly have no experience with it [it] I do it myself or have it done by a non-medical professional.’

When Mr Owen announced his diagnosis, he revealed it was “probably the worst day of my life”.

He told the show: “I went to a specialist, he wasn’t too worried because my levels weren’t that high.”

“But he decided that I should undergo an examination, and then the examination revealed that there was something suspicious going on, and then he sent me for a biopsy, which he did.”

“And the result was amazing – April 13th, a date that will stay with me forever.”

“He told us that it was really extensive and aggressive and that I had full-blown prostate cancer and that something needed to be done fairly quickly.

Mr Owen revealed in August he was suffering from “extensive” and “aggressive” prostate cancer – and said a specialist had told him he had the disease “fully under control”. Pictured: Mr Owen with his wife Vicki Beevers

This year, veteran BBC presenter Les Ross (pictured) also revealed he has prostate cancer

Prostate cancer claimed the life of BBC Breakfast presenter Bill Turnbull (pictured), who died last year aged 66 after a five-year battle with prostate cancer.

“And that was probably the worst day of my life, or certainly one of them.”

He added: “It was a very dark moment… when I was driving home after news like that and calling people, texting people, my phone was going crazy for hours.”

“And it was a very, very difficult time for me and especially for my wife Vicki, who was by my side the whole time, you know.”

This year, veteran BBC presenter Les Ross also revealed he has prostate cancer.

Thanks to the advice of friends, the 74-year-old had regular PSA blood tests for seven years before his diagnosis in July 2021.

Les’ recent results had shown an increase in prostate-specific antigen – an indication of a problem.

It meant Les was “expecting something” and that the cancer, which affects up to one in eight men in the UK during their lifetime, was detected quickly enough to be treated.

Les, who began working for BBC radio in 1970, opted for a five-hour radical prostatectomy to have his prostate removed “by robotic claws” at Coventry University Hospital.

Just three days after the operation Les, who was made an MBE for broadcasting and charitable services in 1996, said: “I wouldn’t have known there was anything wrong with me.”

Prostate cancer claimed the life of presenter Mr Turnbull, who died last year aged 66 after a five-year battle with prostate cancer.

The father-of-three was diagnosed with the disease in November 2017 and admitted he was “mad at himself” for putting off seeing his GP for years.

Turnbull had attributed his long-term pain to “age,” when in reality the pain was a sign of something much worse.