Denise Robertson has pancreatic cancer.
Denise Robertson
The 'This Morning' agony aunt - who joined the breakfast show in 1989 - has admitted she's been absent from the programme for the last couple of weeks because she's recently learnt she's been battling the disease for a while.
She explained: "I'm sorry I've not been around for a couple of weeks but a persistent health issue has turned into something quite a lot bigger. I've been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It has come as a surprise to me and my family but we know that many others have suffered and dealt with this condition and I don't plan to give up without a fight."
The 83-year-old star is set to undergo chemotherapy in the next coming weeks and is confident she can beat the illness.
She said: "My doctor is referring me for chemotherapy and hopefully that will start soon.
"I'd like to thank all the lovely viewers of 'This Morning' who have been concerned about my health recently and I hope I'll be back on the sofa soon."
Meanwhile, the whole production team on the brunch show have been left gobsmacked by the tragic news.
Rylan Clark-Neal, who is currently presenting the programme while Eamonn Holmes is recovering from a double hip replacement, announced the news this morning (19.02.16).
He said: "We have to begin with some very sad news that has left us in a state of shock."
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