BUSINESSMAN BOBBY KERR has been diagnosed with cancer of the neck and head.

The Insomnia Coffee Company chairman made the announcement on his Newstalk radio show, Down to Business, this morning.

Kerr told listeners that he would be taking a break from his broadcasting duties to receive treatment for the disease.

“It’s only in one place and because it’s been caught early my chances of actually beating this increase incrementally,” he said.

The former Dragons’ Den star used the opportunity to encourage men to get themselves checked for cancer.

Why am I telling you this, what you’d consider a very personal and private piece of news? The reason’s simple: it’s Movember – it’s men’s health month, so get yourselves checked out. I did.

Optimism

Kerr said that he plans to return to the airwaves in the new year, remarking that he considers himself “a half-glass full kind of person”.

“In my life tips I give when public speaking, [I say] that only three things in life matter – health, family and friends,” he said.

If we look at those as a three-legged bar stool, I’ve taken a bit of a hit on the health leg, but the other two are stronger than ever.

Kerr added that his wife, Mary, and four daughters have been pivotal in helping him deal with the diagnosis.

“I’m blissfully co-habiting with five loving females – that’s my secret weapon in beating this,” he said.

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