DAVIES THE CROAK

RUGBY legend Jonathan Davies last night revealed he has a growth in his throat.

The former Wales ace spoke out after concerned viewers rang in because he was croaking so badly during his BBC sport commentaries.

Jonathan, 39 - whose wife Karen died of cancer five years ago - first thought the problem was caused by his workload.

But doctors found he has a cyst. The rugby wizard - who was capped 32 times by Wales - yesterday insisted there is nothing for fans to worry about. He said: "It's a cyst and it's normal and that's it. I appreciate the concern from fans who noticed my voice was getting croaky, but it's not serious."

Jonathan has been given three weeks off work while the cyst is treated which means he will not commentate on next week's Principality Cup final between his former club Llanelli and Pontypridd and the Heineken Cup final between Leicester and Munster the following week.

Jonathan - known to everyone in the game as Jiffy - was captain of Great Britain in rugby league and also led Wales in rugby union. Since retiring from the sport he has become one of the BBC's top rugby experts and has presented his own show alongside Ireland and British Lion hooker Keith Wood.

He was left to bring up children Scott, Grace, and Geena alone when Karen, 34, died after a long battle against cancer in 1997. But he has found happiness again with fiancee Helen Jones and they are to marry later this year.

A BBC insider said: "Jonathan's gone off for a bit of a well- earned break but he will be back on top form soon.

"He is an important part of our rugby presentation team - he is an expert on the game but has that vital mix of strong opinions and a sense of humour."

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