DJ Spoony thanks ‘amazing’ NHS after brain operation

Radio presenter DJ Spoony has thanked the NHS and his family after being treated in hospital for a “small bleed to the brain”.

The BBC Radio 2 presenter, whose real name is Johnathan Joseph, held back tears as he told listeners on Monday he had been dealing with headaches for a few weeks, but had “put off” seeing a doctor until 21 December, when he decided to go to A&E.

The 54-year-old went to Bedford Hospital where staff ran tests and did a CT scan before sending him to see a specialist at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.

On Instagram he said his illness was caused by a subdural hematoma, a condition where there is bleeding in the brain.

At Addenbrooke’s, Spoony was told doctors “need to operate”, and ended up spending Christmas Day in hospital.

He said: “The amazing doctors and nurses at Addenbrooke’s had done the operation, (they) had flushed me out.

“I was feeling fine, 10 minutes after the operation. I was talking, looking forward to being back on the ward, eating a banana and having a ginger shot.”

Breaking down, he added: “Thank you to everybody at Addenbrooke’s for looking after me; you were amazing.

“So, again (thanks to) our amazing National Health Service.”

Spoony wrote on Instagram: “I woke up on Christmas morning in hospital. I was so grateful. Had something special to look forward to.

“Going home to my family and friends. All who had been incredible for the last few days. The visits, support, calls, messages. Very humbling.

“There was however some sadness waking up near to some people that didn’t know where they were, that would’ve spent a large part, if not all of the day without loved ones.

“I think about them all every day and hope they are making progress in their recovery.”

In 2022, the DJ was recognised with a British Empire Medal for his services to charity through music during the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the lockdown, he hosted regular live streams, eventually several times a week, using his equipment at home to play a variety of music to help people “connect” and raise money for charity.