Former BBC arts correspondent Rosie Millard is recovering after undergoing emergency surgery to remove a “huge” brain tumour.
Rosie, 53, said the “big but benign” brain tumour was removed following a six hour op at The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN) in central London.
The mum-of-four, a regular marathon runner, said she only realised something was wrong when she developed tinnitus in one of her ears.
When nothing was found in her ear, she “insisted” on a scan which revealed the “huge” tumour behind her right eye.
She said she had kept quiet about her illness until the tumour had been successfully removed, and paid tribute to the “skilled” surgeons at the NHS hospital.
Rosie, who is currently chief executive of Children and The Arts as well as being chair BBC Children in Need, said she has been prescribed eight weeks of “total rest” to aid her recovery. She is also a Trustee of Opera North and writes for The Sunday Times.
She said: “Big but benign brain tumour removed in a six hour op.
“Thanks to the magnificent doctors and nurses at The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery and for huge support from Children and The Arts, Opera North, the Sunday Times and from beloved family and friends. Thank you. What a relief.
“I had a bit of tinnitus on one side. Nothing was found in my ear. I insisted on a scan and this huge tumour was discovered on the brain behind my right eye.
“It might have been there for years slowly growing. It might have caused all sorts of issues later.”
She told her Twitter followers: “It has been such a shock that I just thought I’d get on with it.
“No symptoms and it might have been growing for years. But was huge. Grim.”
She added: “I have been prescribed eight weeks of total rest.
“Pod casts, books, back editions of the New Yorker! And maybe a new hairstyle.”
She praised the staff athe NHNN, adding: “This is one of the most professional and skilled places on the planet. God bless the NHS.”
Rosie, who lives in Islington, north London, was BBC arts correspondent for 10 years until 2004, and in recent times was Chair of Hull UK City of Culture 2017.
She was appointed OBE in the 2018 New Year Honours List for services in the arts to the city of Hull.