Formula One legend Eddie Jordan has given an update on his battle with ‘aggressive’ cancer following his diagnosis last year.
The 76-year-old, who ran his own team in F1 between 1991 and 2005 – before continuing to be involved in the sport as a broadcaster for the BBC and Channel 4 – is also the manager of design guru Adrian Newey.
Jordan was diagnosed with bladder and prostate cancer, and has revealed he is ‘not himself’, with the illness now spreading to other parts of his body including his spine and pelvis.
Announcing the illness last year, he said on his Formula For Success podcast: ‘We’ve kind of alluded to it over the shows, way back in March and April, I was diagnosed with bladder and prostate cancer, and then it spread into the spine and the pelvis, so it was quite aggressive.’
Now, he has given an update, with the veteran still struggling in the battle but determined to carry on going.
‘Sorry guys, just a small thing, thank you,’ he said on talkSPORT. ‘I’ve just come out of getting chemotherapy and I’m not 100 per cent together here guys.
Formula One legend Eddie Jordan has given a heartbreaking update on his cancer battle
Jordan, pictured with wife Marie, was diagnosed with bladder and prostate cancer last year
‘I’m just not myself at this moment in time. I’m a little all over the place, so please forgive me.’
Jordan’s team was named after the Irishman and entered 250 races, winning four times.
Jordan is renowned for giving Michael Schumacher his F1 debut in 1991, while Damon Hill, the 1996 world champion, ended his career with his team.
Earlier this year, Jordan oversaw Newey’s transfer from Red Bull to Aston Martin.
It is expected that Newey, who is considered the greatest F1 technical mastermind of his time, will earn in the region of £20million-a-year to make him one of the best-paid figures in British sport.
Jordan is known for his punchy commentary, and earlier this month urged Ferrari to rip up Lewis Hamilton’s contract after he lamented his form.
Continuing as he revealed details of the illness, he said: ‘We’ve all heard about our wonderful friend, Sir Chris Hoy, who’s an absolute megastar, and he is coming out and talking about illnesses like what I’ve got, but he’s a far younger man.
‘But this is a little message, and everybody listening to this: Don’t waste or put it off. Go and get tested, because in life, you’ve got chances.
He also explained how the illness had spread to other parts of his body including both his spine and pelvis
Jordan’s team was named after the Irishman and entered 250 races, winning four in total
He now works as a pundit, while overseeing the career of design guru Adrian Newey
‘And there is so much medical advice out there and so many things that you can do to extend your lifetime.
‘Go and do it. Don’t be stupid. Don’t be shy. It’s not a shy thing. Look after your body, guys.’
Coulthard, who competed for Williams, McLaren and Red Bull, replied: ‘EJ, wise words.
‘You’ve had this personal experience, and it’s good to see you are looking sharp actually considering the chemotherapy.
‘I’m sure that is not the work of a moment and not a pleasant experience, but it is great that you are sharing your experience with all of our listeners.’
Jordan continued: ‘We move on, but yes, some very dark days in there. We pulled out of it, thankfully.’
A consortium led by Jordan, meanwhile, has bought London Irish Rugby Club out of administration.
The former Gallagher Premiership club filed for administration in June 2023 following its suspension from all competitions.
Jordan have Michael Schumacher his F1 debut in 1991, while Damon Hill, ended his career with his team
He has said he is ‘not himself’ after going through chemotherapy in his treatment for cancer
Irish had reported debts of around £30million, with the Rugby Football Union confirming that neither its owner Mick Crossan nor an American consortium planning to buy the club could prove they had the finances to compete in English rugby’s top flight for the 2023-24 campaign.
Irish became the third casualty of a financial crisis that gripped the Premiership, which dropped to a 10-team competition following the collapses of Wasps and Worcester.
Jordan’s group, The Jordan Associates, says its aim is to return Irish ‘to the pinnacle of international professional club rugby’.
