Talkback king Alan Jones returns to the airwaves after four operations and shedding 30kg

EXCLUSIVE: AFTER four operations in as many months, radio talkback king Alan Jones is back on air today — a shadow of his former self (in a good way).

• ALAN JONES DETAILS HIS FIGHT TO WALK AGAIN
• BACK SURGERY: SHOCK JOCK FORCED OFF AIR

AFTER four operations in as many months, radio talkback king Alan Jones is back on air today — a shadow of his former self (but in a good way).

In the last year the 2GB breakfast show stalwart has put himself on a strict diet and cut his weight by 30kg to just 85kg and is “still going south” after being diagnosed as insulin resistant — the immediate health condition that can precede the onset of diabetes — one year ago. On top of that, he was forced to go under the knife for a crippling back condition, which included a collapsed disc.

A slim and trim Alan Jones is returning to his 2GB radio show this morning. Picture: Julian Andrews

“I have only had two glasses of champagne since March,” said Jones, who has cut out grog and put himself on a strictly disciplined diet.

“This (diabetes) is the biggest crisis in Australia today. I wasn’t over the line but if you get over it you become diabetic and this is serious stuff, this is about amputations going blind and all that business.”

It has concentrated his mind on his health. At the age of 75, he has — picture this — taken up the low-impact stretching regimen of pilates.

Jones in hospital recovering from his back operation earlier this year.

“I have never been anywhere near it and I found it very, very impressive,” he said of his time with “Angela and Matt” at their studio in Mittagong in NSW’s southern highlands.

He is ebullient and excited about getting back on air when he spoke to The Daily Telegraph at his Circular Quay apartment, but Jones is the first to admit that he is a long way from recovered.

“I am all right from here up,” he said pointing from the shoulders up. “I am not too flash from here down. I have had four major surgeries since November and obviously I don’t want anyone imagining I am going to run the Boston marathon.”

But before the major spinal surgeries, the veteran broadcaster’s back issues had worsened to the point where he was virtually unable to move his arms.

Now, the problem is the muscle wastage from lying in bed for seven weeks straight, specifically his left quad.

“I never thought I would be in this predicament because I have been an athlete all my life and been fit and all the rest of it and then, bang — all this bloody nonsense,” he said.

Radio heavyweight Alan Jones before the 30kg weight loss.

And after. he says he’s only had two champagnes this past year.

“I have got news for you I am not fully recovered. But I am recovered enough to sit in front of a microphone,” Jones said in a good news bulletin for network colleague Ray Hadley, who has been doubling up and covering his shift.

Radio king Alan Jones before the weight loss. Picture: Dale Webster

When Jones finishes his show at 2GB’s studios today he will be off to rehab and then pilates.

“I am not kidding myself, I will be tired. I mean talking for four hours and everything and all that energy is exhausting.”

Politicians from the Prime Minister down had also better be aware that he is back because they are all in his sights.

When Jones finishes his show at 2GB’s studios today he will be off to rehab and then pilates. Picture: Julian Andrews

“I am going right after them on Monday morning,” he said.

First up will be securing a national electricity supply.

“Why are we continuing to subsidise wind turbines,” he asked. “No one is going to invest in coal fired power — you cannot compete because the other is being subsidised.”