TREVOR Nelson opened up about his “darkest times” after returning to BBC Radio 2 for the first time since battling brain tumour.
The 62-year-old announced in June that he was stepping back from his work commitments before revealing last month that he was diagnosed with a brain tumour and had “very serious” surgery.
Trevor returned to his 2pm-4pm slot on September 7.
Upon his return, Trevor played Welcome Back, which is the 1976 hit theme song for the television sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter.
He told listeners: “I’ve missed that jingle, I’ve missed sitting in this seat, I’ve missed being in this studio, being on the eight floor, being in BBC Broadcasting House. Being on the best radio station in the world and missed you most of all 2-4, boy have I missed you guys.”
Trevor admitted it had been an “emotional” few months but had set a goal date to return to work, which was today.
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Trevor’s producer Rosie Merotra joined him on air and said the pair had been in contact throughout the summer, as he went on to thank his loved ones for supporting him, along with his listeners for inundating him with get well messages.
He joked: “She’s not sick of me right? And now I’m back before she can get sick of me,” to which Rosie replied: “Exactly.”
He continued: “I’m so happy to be here in this studio, sat in this chair on the eight floor, being a naughty immature man and back on the best station and back with my colleagues.
“Honestly, we talk about it on Radio 2 and it is like a family, it feels like family, it feels like I’ve been away and I’ve come back… someone’s paid the ransom at last and freed me.
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“It’s been an emotional and very difficult summer for me, but I’ve got through with a lot of help from close friends and family and management. My wife has been amazing and everybody close to me.
“It feels weird saying people I don’t know have helped me, all the listeners, all the love has been overwhelming and insane, in my darkest moments it really did help me – people say this and it really does help.
“When you know people care about you and want you back, it feels so good.
“This was a target for me, this date was a target for me to come back on air.”
The DJ then played Shakira‘s 2026 World Cup summer song Dai Dai.
He said he watched the World Cup during the middle of the night and said it would help him get to sleep during his treatment.
Trevor’s fans then sent in messages saying how happy they were to have him back.
Trevor will be making a staggered return with two days next week, three days the week after, four days the following week, before returning full time on the airwaves on Monday 28 September.
DJ Spoony, who has largely covered for Trevor in his absence, will be stepping in for the days he’s not in, as well as Clara Amfo.
He returned to social media last month as he addressed speculation after suddenly stepping away from work two months prior.
Trevor expressed: “There’s been a lot of speculation as to what’s wrong with me, I know that much.
“My phone’s blown up 20 times over with people asking what’s wrong with me.”
The dad-of-two said he felt he wanted to share more details due to the outpouring of love he had received.
However, he said he wasn’t going to do a “deep dive” just yet, rather that would come at a later date.
He continued: “I was minding my own business and then it was discovered I had a brain tumour.
“As you can imagine, I was shocked. In fact, my world was turned upside down.
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“Quite literally, my head was all over the place. I knew I had to stop work because I couldn’t be that guy on the radio knowing I had that going on.”
After confirming his surgery was a success, Trevor said he’d been at home “recuperating and resting” and having post-op treatment.