Bashir diagnosed with brain tumour

TV journalist Martin Bashir has been diagnosed with a brain tumour.

The 45-year-old, who is best known for his interviews with Princess Diana and Michael Jackson, confirmed that doctors have found a growth on his pituitary gland.

The tumour was discovered during a scan for a head injury he sustained on the set of his Nightline show for America's ABC News.

Bashir, who lives with wife Debbie and their two children in New York, insisted that he has no plans to scale back his personal or professional life in the wake of the news.

His agent John Miles said: "It has been a very worrying time for Martin and his family but the good news is that the specialists do not want to operate on the tumour yet.

"The doctors say they have found it at a very early stage. Obviously it's very serious and they are not unconcerned."

Miles added: "While of course it has been very upsetting, Martin is seeing it as a blessing in disguise. If he hadn't had the knock to the head, he would never have known about the tumour."

The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain and helps regulate the body's growth.