LMFM's Michael Reade reveals shock terminal cancer diagnosis

LMFM broadcaster Michael Reade shocked listeners of his radio show this morning by revealing he has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

The presenter who had been missing from his slot on “The Michael Reade Show” for a number of weeks took to the airwaves this morning to share the devastating news.

In a pre recorded segment during his long running current affairs show currently being hosted by Alan Cantwell Reade revealed that despite the cancer diagnosis, he was "not afraid of dying" and was “embracing positivity” while spending as much time as possible with his loved ones.

In a heartbreaking message, the broadcaster said:

"Regular listeners to the station will probably know that I have not been in work for over a month, I know some people listening would like to know why. I’m not known to stand on ceremony so I’ll just cut to the chase , I am not well, I am actually very sick, I have cancer and I am afraid to say that my diagnosis is terminal.

" It is an illness in other words in which I will not be able to recover from. That sounds awful ,I know that but I am oddly ok with it, I’ve reconciled with my situation. I have accepted what I'm facing into, I know what it means, I’m not afraid, I’m not devastated.

"I wish it wasn’t so of course but it is and this is not open to negotiation , it is not an argument I can win, in fact there just isn’t any argument to be had.

"I understood this, more or less the moment I was told that I’m dying.”

The LMFM presenter said that he wanted to spend whatever time he had left finding “positive things to focus on.” He added:

“The time that I do have left will be precious and so do I want to use any of it being sad and looking on this as a negative? Then I thought I do actually have other choices, I can choose to be devastated but I can just as easily choose than instead of being devastated I’d choose that whatever time life will yet offer me is life that I’m going to be embrace positively finding good and nice positive things to focus on and there are so many things my life will offer me yet.

"It’s true to say that any ambitions I might have had, have had to change in recent weeks and I'm now fairly limited in what I can do physically. I won’t be able to tick things off my bucket list that were on it a few weeks ago. But I have lots of things to do, the situation I am in now is actually a blessing of sorts because I am looking at things that might otherwise have passed me by and I’m getting so much pleasure from some very basic simple things, a smiling face, a kind word, a ray of sunshine, breathing in some fresh air. I know they are all cliches but it is so true.”

In the emotional broadcast, Reade said that being home with people he loved was “priceless."

“There is nothing more important for me, living through and experiencing what I believe is just a great people story,” he said.

"As all of my family and friends rally around me, everyone is parking their sadness and doing what I have asked them to do that is to know that I am ok with this and I just want to surround myself now in love and positive vibrations,” added radio man, Michael.

"All of us are trying to be strong, trying to be positive and trying to help each other through this as best we can.”

In a message to his listeners, the veteran broadcaster appealed for space and said it was a “privilege” to have had a career spanning more than 40 years.

"I’m not sure when I will get the chance to speak to you again but I do hope to be able to speak to you again, right now I have to step back from everything else. I will need some personal space and personal time with my family and the people I love and I hope that you will understand that and will allow me that space please.

"My first broadcast was 43 years ago I was just 15 years of age, I’m very proud to say that since then I have more or less had a radio programme of my own, I have spent 21 years here in LMFM and why I am prouder that I can say about my programme here is it honestly been a privilege, a privilege that you listening have given to me. Thank you for that privilege.”

Last year Michael Reade was awarded the CVSN “Recognition of Excellence Award - 2024 for Services to Broadcast journalism” from the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daithi DeRoiste.

CVSN - Csa (child sexual abuse) Victim and Survivor Network are a national and international network of persons who have experienced child sexual abuse. Their work involves raising awareness of the enduring nature of child sexual abuse.

The award and accompanying presentation at the Mansion House in Dublin cited Michael Reade’s "exemplary and courageous" services to human rights broadcast journalism in the area of child sexual abuse and also his work supporting and raising awareness of the challenges facing refugees in Ireland today.

Michael also accepted an award from the Lord Mayor on behalf of LMFM for the support given and platform provided to Michael to enable him to support victims of sexual violence and human rights injustices.