Murray Walker on the mend, no longer needs chemo
Iconic long-time former F1 commentator Murray Walker has told reporters that he won't have to undergo an intensive six-month course of chemotherapy after all, after receiving "unbelievably" good news about his condition from the doctors.
Walker was recently diagnosed with lymphoma, a form of blood cancer, that was discovered while he was being treated in hospital in Salisbury for a broken hip sustained in a fall while on holiday on Germany.
But ongoing evaluation has persuaded doctors that the lymphoma isn't as serious as originally believed, as he revealed in an exclusive interview with Britain's Daily Mail newspaper.
"I went to have my pre-chemotherapy blood check this week and was understandably delighted when they said, 'Your blood condition has improved so much that it is now nearly normal and you do not need the chemotherapy,'" he revealed.
"The theory is that I had a substantial internal blood loss when I fell and fractured my pelvis, which, in turn, caused the anaemic condition," Walker explained. "Since then my body has apparently been quietly putting things right in the weird and wonderful way these things happen."
Walker will still need to undergo regular checks at the hospital, and if his blood tests deteriorate again then chemotherapy may be required further down the line, but for the time being Walker said he was "unbelievably happy" with what was clearly "great news from my selfish point of view."
Walker added that he now felt rather guilty having received such such a huge swell of love and affection from friends, fans and former colleagues in the F1 paddock all of whom have been quick to show their support, love and affection for the man who for many has embodied the true spirit of F1 for over five decades.
Saying that he felt "a bit of a fraud" for receiving huge numbers of get well messages under 'false pretences', Walker added: "In mitigation I have to say that when I was diagnosed my feeling was that the news was bound to come out and the best thing I could do was to announce it openly and get it all over."
But the 89-year-old former World War 2 tank commander doesn't have to worry on that score, as everyone will just be hugely relieved to hear the good news and be looking forward to having Walker back in the F1 paddock once more, once his original hip injury has recovered.
He's already looking forward to getting back to his previous fitness regime which includes treadmill, cross-trainer, bike, swimming and weights, all of which have contributed to his eternally-youthful aspect and allowed him to continue with his prodigious work ethic, which means that he still contributes regular articles and analyses on the state of modern F1 despite having stood down as a commentator in 2001.
Earlier this week, for example, Walker was musing on whether it was wise for Lewis Hamilton to have his bulldog Roscoe with him at Grand Prix events,
"A dog's hearing system is infinitely more sensitive than a human's - and my hearing has been destroyed by F1 cars," he said, his opinions as lively and strongly expressed as ever. "I am utterly amazed he's allowed to take the dog in. Whoever said that was OK should be drummed out of the Brownies. I can't imagine what the hell they are thinking about. It's utter madness!"
