The BBC presenter revealed he was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma after a biopsy on his shoulder and shared his experience of using the NHS
Bruna Reis and Rebecca Jones
14:05, 04 Dec 2025
Adrian Chiles revealed he was diagnosed with skin cancer (Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
BBC presenter Adrian Chiles has revealed his skin cancer diagnosis and the need for surgery on his shoulder to address it. The 58-year-old was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma following biopsy results.
However, he has reassured fans in his Guardian column that the cancer ‘won’t spread.’ He also stated: “So not nothing, but not serious. Needs keeping an eye on.”
The type of cancer Adrian has develops from an overproduction of squamous cells in the uppermost layer of the skin. The television presenter explained he arranged an appointment with a dermatologist after spotting a change on his shoulder.
Medical professionals decided it was best to remove the affected area to determine if it was cancerous. Adrian admitted he was filled with anxiety whilst awaiting the results from the NHS.
A total of 23 days after the skin patch was excised, Adrian received two notifications from the NHS – but neither contained the results.
He claimed he found it difficult to reach anyone who could help him during the agonising wait after calling automated phone lines.
The star wrote: “This, more than anything, is what matters to me. I don’t care about the shabbiness of hospitals, confusion over appointment times and places, or even the poor communication skills of some doctors.
“I just want to know there’s a number to call, which will get me someone relevant to talk to.”
Adrian Chiles spent three years at The One Show from 2007 to 2010(Image: BBC)
Adrian, formerly the host of The One Show, was later informed that his results wouldn’t be available until December 18 via an app ‘powered by Patients Know Best’.
He wrote in the newspaper: “By now I wanted to flush my phone down the toilet. This crap masquerades as communication, but communication is either two-way or it’s nothing.
The celebrity requested a callback from an NHS professional, and eventually, a nurse shared the results with him. “The human contact feels as good as any treatment or cure,” he added.
Chiles hosted Match of the Day 2 from 2004 to 2010, before fronting ITV’s football coverage from 2010 to 2015.
