Veteran broadcaster Peter Overton has opened up on his health diagnosis, sharing the one thing he wishes he had done differently as he reveals he has undergone five operations.

Nine presenter Peter Overton has opened up on his melanoma diagnosis and shared his “huge regret” about not being sun-smart, issuing a warning to Australians who like to tan.

The TV host was first diagnosed with skin cancer in 2020 after a melanoma on his temple needed to be removed.

In this week’s edition of New Idea, the 58-year-old revealed he has had five operations to remove melanoma, including from his forehead, back and legs, in addition to moles being cut out.

The TV host was first diagnosed with skin cancer in 2020 after a melanoma on his temple needed to be removed. Picture: X.
The TV host went on to describe his “huge regret” was not being sun-smart as a child, lamenting not having listened to his parents who both worked in the medical field.

“It was almost a badge of honour to roast yourself red and peel off the skin in sheets. The memories are crystal clear, the damage real,” Overton said.

“I wish I had listened to my dad, a doctor, and my mum, a nurse, to apply sunscreen. My knowledge was limited to sunburn. I don’t even think melanoma was a part of the conversation.”

Overton called for the “glamourisation of tanning” to be stopped and described an instance where he took the chance to educate one young man who was “roasting himself red”.

He recounted that without hesitating, he showed the man “the train-track melanoma scar on my leg”.

“I said that the scar was a result of lying in the sun, without sunscreen. I didn’t hesitate to tell him and show him. I hope he listened,” Overton said.

Overton is a national ambassador for Melanoma Institute Australia, which seeks to raise awareness of the disease and leads global research efforts to find a cure. Picture: John Appleyard.
Overton is a national ambassador for Melanoma Institute Australia, which seeks to raise awareness of the disease and leads global research efforts to find a cure.

About 16,800 Australians are expected to be diagnosed with the disease in 2025, according to the organisation.

About 95 per cent of melanomas are caused by overexposure to UV rays.

Overton’s wife, Jessica Rowe, in January revealed the news presenter was recovering from surgery following the discovery of a polyp on his vocal chord.

Rowe took to Instagram to update fans after Overton was notably absent from his role hosting Nine’s nightly bulletin for several weeks.

“As you know Pete doesn’t do Insta – and he wanted me to share some news with you,” she wrote.

“He’s off work for a little longer at the moment after an ENT surgeon discovered a polyp on one of his vocal cords which explains his very raspy voice over the holidays!

“He was operated on and part of his recovery is no talking for now (which is a HUGE challenge for him!!)”

The update followed a separate health matter in April last year when Rowe revealed her husband was recovering from hip replacement surgery.

“Many of you have been missing Pete from your TV screens these past couple of weeks & have asked me where he is,” she wrote in a post.

“Well, he’s at home recovering from hip replacement surgery & getting lots of TLC. Pete will be back @9newssydney soon!”