Bob Harris goes off the air after health scare

Bob Harris, the veteran broadcaster, is to take a break from the airwaves due to illness – and he is not sure when he will return.

The 73-year-old, who hosts The Country Show With Bob Harris on BBC Radio 2, revealed in a statement that he had suffered an “aortic dissection” – a tear to the body’s largest artery – while out walking.

He added he was “sorry to say” he will be off air for the “next few weeks”.

He said: “The aorta is basically the M1 of the body and any damage is regarded as extremely serious. It was an incredibly scary moment.”

Lewis Carnie, the head of Radio 2, said: “We wish Bob a very speedy recovery and look forward to welcoming him back.”