The Vinyl Cafe's Stuart McLean suspends show to focus on cancer treatment

The Vinyl Cafe host and writer Stuart McLean is suspending his popular radio show to focus on his cancer treatment.

In a post on his website, the bestselling author, journalist and humorist says that he had figured treatment would be "swift" when he was diagnosed with melanoma, a skin cancer, a year ago.

• THE VINYL CAFE | A message from Stuart McLean

However, McLean says that his first round of immunotherapy treatment last winter was not completely successful, so he'll undergo another round in the new year.

"What can I say … things don't always go exactly as planned," he wrote.

Rather than air repeats of his program — which features stories, essays and music — McLean says he will instead step aside to make room for others to share their work.

The idea is to allow McLean to focus on his health, according to Vinyl Cafe producer Jess Milton, who added that the whole team has been touched by the outpouring of love and support for him. 

As of January, there will be no new episodes of The Vinyl Cafe on CBC Radio, Sirius XM satellite radio or podcasts. U.S. public radio stations will air Vinyl Cafe Stories episodes until the end of February.

The show's stories centre on Dave, the owner of a second-hand record store, and also feature Dave's wife, Morley, their two children, Sam and Stephanie, and various friends and neighbours.

"Along with Stuart's many fans from across the country, all of his colleagues at CBC are thinking of him and wishing him well as he focuses on his health," said CBC spokesman Chuck Thompson. 

He added that the CBC winter schedule will be released in the coming days, which will include the programming that will take over The Vinyl Cafe's slot in January.

"I don't want you to worry about me. A year ago I told you that I expected this to be just a bump in the road, not the end of the road. I still believe that to be true. I hope we will meet up again — on the radio or in theatres. We'll make sure to tell you before that happens," McLean wrote.

"In the meantime, look after yourselves and each other. And know that this isn't goodbye. It's just … so long for now."