BBC Radio 2 presenter DJ Spoony has shared a candid health update just weeks after undergoing surgery for a brain haemorrhage over Christmas.
The 54-year-old broadcaster, whose real name is Jonathan Joseph, said he went to A&E on December 21 after suffering a month-long headache that manifested as “pulsating” pain.
Tests have revealed that the former Strictly star had a small brain bleed that stopped but caused pressure, leading to surgery at 2am on Christmas Eve after a four-day wait.
The media personality appeared on BBC Radio 2’s Breakfast with Mark Goodyear this morning to provide an update on his recovery, almost a month on.
When asked if he was 100% better now, DJ Spoony said He said: ‘Yes thank you.’ I’m back to… You know my fitness isn’t what it used to be, but my health is great, and the scars are healing amazingly well.
“I can’t believe how well the scars have healed. I’m pretty sure I’ve had paper cuts that took longer to heal than surgery scars. I’m doing really well. Thanks for asking. Thanks to everyone who has messaged me, it’s been a bit overwhelming if I’m being honest.”
He’s putting himself back in the business by launching his own late-night show on the station next week.
As DJ Spoony recounted to his Instagram followers at the time, when the bleeding was discovered, doctors rushed DJ Spoony to Addenbrooke Hospital as they needed to “operate as quickly as possible.”
“I was crazy because I was working out and training so hard all through the headache,” he explained on Instagram.
“By their very high standards, it was a routine operation to sort out the subdural hematoma,” he said after the operation.
“Within 10 minutes of the operation I was on my way back to the ward. Totally alert. Chat. Not so groggy after a year.
‘I couldn’t wait to have that banana by my bed because I haven’t taken anything orally since 1pm the day before. This was the best banana I’ve ever had…as for the ginger shot. Excellent.’
DJ Spoony noted that it was “crazy” that his headaches stopped immediately after surgery.
He added: “Four weeks of this pulse and finally peace.”
DJ Spoony said he was “so grateful” after waking up Christmas morning in hospital.
He added: ‘[I] He had something special to look forward to. Back home to my family and friends. All who have been unbelievable the past few days. Visits, support, calls and messages. Very humble.
“However, there was some sadness in waking up close to some people who did not know where they were, and who would have spent a good portion, if not all, of the day without their loved ones.” I think about them all every day and hope they are making progress in their recovery.
DJ Spoony also thanked the NHS for their care.
He wrote: “Thank you to Bedford Hospital for the scan and thank you to Addenbrokes for completing the job. You truly are the best in the business. All the nurses, doctors and health assistants who looked after me. Thank you to the NHS. Thank you Richard Hughes, Michael Edwards, Arn Slott and Mo Salah.”
DJ Spoony’s career began at pirate radio station London Underground, where he formed production trio Dreem Teem with Top Buzz’s Mikee B and Timmi Magic.
He then joined Kiss in 1997 before moving UK garage to BBC Radio 1 nationally in 2000.
DJ Spoony also hosted shows on Radio 5 Live and Rinse FM before joining Radio 2 in 2019.
In 2022, he was honored with a British Empire Medal (BEM) for charitable services through music during the Covid-19 pandemic.
During the pandemic, DJ Spoony 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.
This article was first published on December 30, 2025.
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