Nick Robinson cancels Today programme appearance after concerns over strength of his voice

The former BBC political editor underwent surgery and chemotherapy after being diagnosed with lung cancer in February

Nick Robinson in the studio on his first day presenting BBC Radio 4's Today programme. He withdrew from his second day presenting the programme, raising concerns over his voice (PA)

Nick Robinson withdrew from his second day presenting the Today programme following a debut appearance on Monday which raised concerns over the strength of his voice.

Robinson, who underwent surgery and chemotherapy after being diagnosed with lung cancer in February, pulled out of his advertised role in Tuesday’s broadcast.

He had apologised to listeners for a “croaky first day start” on Monday and disclosed he was suffering from a cold which hampered his performance.

The former BBC political editor has admitted that his speech will never fully recover from damage caused by cancer surgery.

The journalist, who interviewed David Cameron for Monday’s programme, wrote on Twitter that he had “been a long time off”. Some listeners complained that the hoarseness in his voice made Monday’s programme a difficult listen. Robinson was said to have been “disappointed” at his performance.

A BBC spokesman said: “Nick asked not to present his planned shift this morning as his cold hadn’t improved and he wants his voice to be at full strength for the next Today shift he does.”

BBC sources said the presenting rota was “fluid” and that Robinson would return to the Today programme soon. Although the surgery dealt with the 52 year-old’s cancer, Robinson admitted that it had damaged nerves in his vocal chords and caused a change in his voice which is likely to be permanent. Robinson receives daily coaching to help strengthen his voice.

He revealed that some BBC executives wanted him to return at a later point. He replaced James Naughtie, who will become a special correspondent, as a Today anchor.

However Naughtie’s new role is not due to being until January and he will be available to cover for Robinson if required.

Although Robinson did not appear on Tuesday morning, he issued a tweet during the broadcast: “Revealing that Hilary Benn would not answer question about resigning as Shadow Foreign Sec if his leader goes to Stop the War party #R4Today”

Meanwhile SNP supporters accused the BBC of anti-independence bias after it emerged that Robinson had two private meetings with David Cameron in the weeks leading up to last year’s referendum.

Robinson met with the Prime Minister on August 28 and 31 last year, just weeks before Scotland went to the polls on September 18. There are no records of similar meetings between Robinson and Alex Salmond during August or September last year. The BBC said it stood by its “balanced and impartial” reporting of the independence referendum campaign.