Anne Diamond was diagnosed with breast cancer on the same day she received her OBE, the TV veteran has revealed.
Diamond, 68, joined Dan Wootton on GB News to discuss her break from TV screens.
Diamond said: “It was not a world cruise. It’s a fight against breast cancer. That’s how it was.
“It’s been a long journey and five months later I’m still not at the end of the journey.
TV legend Ann Diamond held back tears as she revealed she had cancer
“But I got through it enough to get back to work.”
She continued: “It was so extraordinary. I was brought up Roman Catholic – I’m not by the way – I’m a very lapsed Catholic.
“But you know, you’re kind of taught that if something good happens to you, something bad will happen to slap you in the face.
“I received an email from the Cabinet Office this morning saying that I congratulate you on being awarded an OBE for my cot death campaign in 1991.”
Diamond added: “But then I knew as I’d already seen my GP that I had to go for a breast cancer screening later in the morning and I thought I’d just go for a mammogram and a few tests and I’d be free in an hour .
“I spent the whole morning at the local hospital.
“They did everything, a biopsy, X-rays, a CT scan, several mammograms, everything.
“Finally, by lunchtime, I was still there and a lovely lady with a lanyard around her neck that said MacMillan Cancer Care and that’s when I knew it was serious and it was the same day.”
Dan Wootton (left) with Ann Diamond (right)
Diamond stressed he had no advice for people, but confirmed he was well enough to return to GB News.
The 68-year-old underwent a nine-hour operation during her treatment for breast cancer.
Diamond co-presented Breaking with Stephen and Ann alongside co-host Stephen Dixon from 6am at weekends.
The presenter is due to return to GB News this weekend.