Broadcaster Andrew Marr has revealed he is to have an operation to remove a malignant tumour on his kidney.

The BBC presenter told viewers at the end of his Sunday programme that he would be "going to be away for a couple of weeks or so" while he recuperated.

Marr’s agent, Mary Greenham, said he was “expected to make a full recovery and will be returning to the airwaves soon … He and his family have asked for privacy at this difficult time.”

BBC's Andrew Marr suffers stroke

The Glasgow-born journalist, one of the best-known faces on the BBC, previously suffered a stroke five years ago.

This lead to a nine-month break from his Sunday morning programme, the Andrew Marr Show, which included two months in hospital followed by months of physiotherapy to help him walk again.

At the end of today’s show Marr, 58, told viewers: “Now I am going to be away for a couple of weeks or so."

Andrew Marr showed 'inspirational determination' in stroke documentary

He added: "I’m having a small hospital operation and I will be back as soon as I possibly can, so be kind please to whoever is sitting in this chair next week."

A BBC spokeswoman said: "Andrew is taking a period of time off for medical reasons.

"We wish him well and look forward to welcoming him back on our screens soon."