Trevor Nelson, 62, is set to make a return to his Radio 2 show after taking an 'extended break' due to 'health issues'

Radio 2 star Trevor Nelson is confident of returning to work in 'a couple of months' time', friends of the broadcaster have told Daily Mail .

The DJ, 62, announced he was taking a break from work commitments while he deals with 'health issues' after being absent from his regular slot after undergoing tests.

Confirmation of the health issue sparked concern amongst some of the popular presenter's fanbase that his lengthy career, both on radio and behind the decks, could be coming to an end.

But friends have now insisted that Nelson is confident that, after a break from work, he will be able to return to presenting, and they also confirmed he is still going ahead with planning his busy end-of-year schedule, which includes his annual sell-out events at the Royal Albert Hall.

Nelson - usually presents weekdays 2-4pm on Radio 2, and BBC Radio 1Xtra each Sunday from 11am – 1pm - had posted on Instagram last Thursday: 'I wanted to let my followers, radio listeners and all my Soul Nation party-people know that I’m going to be .

'Some of you may already have noticed that I’ve not been on my daily Radio 2 slot this week.

'After a routine check-up, I was advised to have some follow-up tests. As a result, I will be taking some further time off. As I’m sure you can appreciate, given health issues, it’s important to deal with facts rather than speculate.

'So I’m concentrating on getting better, being back to 100% me and getting back behind the mic and the decks.'

When he appeared at the Television and Radio Industries Club (TRIC) Awards, where he was recognised with the TRIC special award, Nelson also appeared to cast doubt on his future as a radio presenter.

As the Daily Mail reported, he told the audience at the event: 'Thirty years at the BBC, 10 years at KISS FM: 40 years doing radio.

'I don't know how many more years I can do, I love every single moment of it.'

But one close friend has now confirmed: 'Trevor's doing the right thing by stepping back to make sure this health issue is properly sorted out.

'But he's confident of returning to work after the summer. It would be wrong to put an exact date on things, but give him a couple of months, and there seems to be every prospect of a return to work.

'And he's already looking forward to his regular DJ stints at the end of the year, such as the Christmas shows at the Albert Hall.'

Radio 2 presenter Vernon Kay paid tribute to Nelson on his mid-morning show shortly after the news of his illness broke.

He said: 'Everyone at BBC Radio 2, including the mid-morning show, is sending Trevor all the very, very best wishes. We absolutely love him to bits.

'He’s a stalwart broadcaster within the UK – I played golf with him a couple of weeks ago, and he was in a buoyant mood.

'And I know that this challenge is something that Trevor is going to face head-on. So Trevor, we are sending you all our love and hopefully see you on the links very soon, my friend.'

Meanwhile, Richie Anderson, who has been covering for Nelson, said: 'Sending all the love in the world to our Trevor, we’ve got your back, buddy.'

Clara Amfo will cover Nelson’s afternoon show from June 29 until July 3, with DJ Spoony taking over from July 6 until further notice.

Lorna Clarke, director of music at the BBC, said: 'Everyone at BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 1Xtra wishes Trevor a very speedy recovery and we all look forward to him returning to his shows whenever he is ready.'

Nelson has been DJing since he was young, but first made his name as a pioneering DJ on London’s pirate radio station Kiss FM in the 1980s.

This led to a daytime slot and a directorship once the radio station went legal.

After 10 years with Kiss FM, he moved to Radio 1 in 1996 to present Rhythm Nation, and a year later, he began a second show on Saturday afternoons.

He has presented shows for MTV – The Lick and The Lick Chart – as well as the BBC – Trevor Nelson’s Urban Choice and The Lowdown.

He has also released compilation albums Pure Grooves and Incredible Sound Of Trevor Nelson and hosts a stage at London ‘s Notting Hill Carnival with Radio 1.