Oliver Callan returns to airwaves following skin cancer surgery

Radio presenter and comedian Oliver Callan revealed today that he recently underwent surgery for skin cancer.

Returning to the airwaves this morning after 9 days absence, Callan explained he had been diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and had  only expected to be gone for two days.

Located between his nose and the corner of his lip, the surgery meant that he could not speak properly or laugh, at the risk of scarring himself.

On his show, Callan said “like thousands of us out there with our Irish skin, I got one of those mild skin cancers.”

“Mine is located on the face, which is a precious place when someone is coming at you with a scalpel,” he joked.

BCC is a common type of skin cancer that starts in the upper layer of the skin and can often be easily treated.

It usually appears as a small shiny pink or white lump that can grow slowly, and may develop into an ulcer, according to the HSE.

Callan also explained that he cannot shave his lip yet, leading to him looking like “The inept sidekick of a provincial detective in a 1980s Sunday night TV drama”.

Taking over from Ryan Tubridy, Callan presents the 9AM slot on RTÉ Radio 1, as well as the Callan’s Kicks podcast, where he does impressions of public figures.