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F1 legend Eddie Jordan in heartbreaking revelation

Formula 1 legend Eddie Jordan has a strong message after the former team owner detailed his own “aggressive” health battle.

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Eddie Jordan has opened up on his battle with cancer after being diagnosed earlier this year.

The Formula 1 legend has prostate and bladder cancer, which has spread aggressively in the past few months.

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Jordan, 76, revealed he went through some “dark days” as the cancer spread to different parts of his body, as The Sun reports.

He urged people to go out and get tested and spoke about the importance of looking after one’s body.

In an appearance on his Formula For Success podcast, which he hosts alongside David Coulthard, Jordan said: “We’ve kind of alluded to it David, over the shows. Way back in March and April, I was diagnosed with bladder and prostate cancer.

Eddie Jordan during his long F1 career. Photos: Getty Images
Eddie Jordan during his long F1 career. Photos: Getty Images

“And then it spread into the spine and the pelvis, so it was quite aggressive.

“And we’ve all heard about our wonderful friend Sir Chris Hoy, who is an absolute megastar, and he (was) coming out and talking about illness such as like what I’ve got, but he’s a far younger man.

“But this is a little message for all the anchors and everybody listening to this: don’t wait or put it off.

“Go and get tested, because in life you’ve got chances 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.

“We’ll move on, but yes, some very dark days in there – but we pulled out of it, thankfully.”

Eddie Jordan with Mark Webber and at a Grand Prix Ball. Photos: News Limited
Eddie Jordan with Mark Webber and at a Grand Prix Ball. Photos: News Limited

Hoy, 48, opened up in October about his cancer diagnosis by revealing doctors have given him just four years to live.

Like Hoy, Jordan is also a legend in his field and although he never drove in F1, he did race in F2, F3 and Formula Atlantic, as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1981.

Ten years later he did finally make it to F1 with his Jordan Grand Prix team, giving Michael Schumacher his F1 debut in 1991.

Jordan Grand Prix raced in F1 until 2005 and achieved its best ever result in 1998 when Damon Hill and Ralf Schumacher finished first and second at the Belgian Grand Prix.

The team was sold in 2005 and rebranded as MF1 Racing a year later before becoming Force India and later Racing Point and now Aston Martin.

Cycling great Chris Hoy has spoken about his cancer battle. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP)
Cycling great Chris Hoy has spoken about his cancer battle. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP)
Eddie Jordan has had a colourful career in F1. Photos: AFP/AP
Eddie Jordan has had a colourful career in F1. Photos: AFP/AP

Jordan returned to F1 in 2009 as a pundit for BBC Sport’s Grand Prix and later joined Channel 4 in 2016.

He’s also been a regular pundit on Sky Sports over the years.

He was awarded an honorary OBE by Her Majesty The Queen in recognition of his services to charity and motor racing in 2012.

In 2016 he joined the cast of presenters on Top Gear, who at the time included Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc.

Speaking in mid-October about his health, the multi-millionaire revealed that he underwent tests as part of taking part in a cycling event in South Africa earlier in the year.

Mika Hakkinen, Michael Schumacher, Gerhard Berger and Jordan at the 1996 Australian Grand Prix.
Mika Hakkinen, Michael Schumacher, Gerhard Berger and Jordan at the 1996 Australian Grand Prix.
Melbourne Storm players (left) Rodney Howe and Robbie Ross present Jordan with a Storm back in 2002.
Melbourne Storm players (left) Rodney Howe and Robbie Ross present Jordan with a Storm back in 2002.

He said: “At 76 I did the Argus (Cape Town Cycle Tour) and then you get a bit of a bang and then you suddenly feel that you’re not 100 per cent.

“You go to the doctor and then you get this illness. But where there’s a will, there’s a way, and I urge everybody to be able to stand the fight, because it’s worth it.

“I’m coming out the other side, everyone else should come out the other side.

“The prognosis is absolutely fantastic. The medical awareness of what’s going on at the moment is quite simply mind-boggling – and so there should be every opportunity to avail of that medical help.”

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as F1 legend Eddie Jordan in heartbreaking revelation

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Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/sport/motorsport/formula-one/f1-legend-eddie-jordan-in-heartbreaking-revelation/news-story/fb43675c688373d3e90954203e88f60c