Greg James has shared an emotional update on his father's health, explaining why he has been absent from his BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show. The 40-year-old broadcaster revealed that his dad, Alan Milward, underwent heart surgery days after suffering a stroke during a scheduled operation in March.
Greg James gives health update on father
Taking to Instagram, Greg posted a selfie outside the intensive care unit with a thumbs-up, joking: 'What a great day! An absolute hoot in ICU! LOVE IT THERE!' He added that the surgery was 'MUCH LONGER than everyone hoped' and praised his mother, sister, surgeons, nurses, and the NHS. 'What a gang. We've all gone mad,' he wrote.
Greg then became serious: 'Real talk, surgery went OK but he's far from out of the woods so I'm gonna take it easy tomorrow and hopefully back on Friday. Plus I'm in no fit state to be on the radio – I mean, look at me. I'm posting photos from intensive care ffs.'
The presenter thanked followers for their 'lovely messages' and referenced England's World Cup win, quipping: 'It's coming home but Alan isn't for a while.'
Earlier update from the garden
In a previous post, Greg explained his absence: 'Hello from my mum's garden! I wasn't on the breakfast show today as my dad was in for another go at heart surgery (it's been a wild few months and I didn't want to bore you with it all).' He shared a video of a water fountain, adding: 'Back to square one. Waiting for news and staying distracted and keeping calm by making water features. All being well, back on tomorrow morning.'
Greg had earlier admitted it had been a 'terrible time' for his family after his father's stroke in March. Fans have flooded social media with supportive messages.
