At his first public appearance since he was diagnosed with cancer, cricket legend Geoffrey Boycott revealed that he is in remission from the disease.
Referring to the neck cancer for which he has been undergoing treatment, Boycott said in a weekend interview, "So far so good. It looks as though it has worked for the moment. I have check-ups every month to see if it has."
Explaining that medical specialists had advised complete rest, he went on, "My oncologist is not keen for me to work yet and she's the boss! The treatment is finished. I'm not saying anymore because I don't want to tempt providence."
The 62-year-old Boycott lost two stones when he was unable to take solid food following months of treatment involving both chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
But at a Sunday charity cricket match near Leeds in honour of local fundraiser Jane Tomlinson, Boycott laughed and joked with cricketers and officials at Rothwell Cricket Club.
Accompanied by his wife Rachel, whom he married last March, he signed autographs. Describing one of the local bowlers as a master of the donkey drop, he got hold of a bat and said, "I would not know what to do except in front of that donkey drop bowler."
Boycott also paid compliments to Mrs Tomlinson who lives nearby and is suffering from terminal cancer.
Boycott, who is still coming to terms with his cancer battle, said, "It's tough having cancer. It comes as a big shock to everybody. Most of us know very little about it until we actually get it and then we start reading up. A lot of things can be done to help people."
Receiving a cheque for Cancer Research UK on behalf of Mrs Tomlinson, Boycott added, "Having had cancer myself I know how important it is to find a cure for what affects so many people. One in three people are going to get some form of cancer and it is vital we find answers to the problem. Every bit of money raised goes towards finding that cure."
John Finch, chairman of the Leeds West Riding Cricket League, said, "Jane has done a wonderful job focusing everyone's attention on cancer and Geoffrey is doing an equally good job for us."
Finch, who is fighting his own battle with prostate cancer, said Sunday's event had raised about £1,000 towards cancer research.
