Doctors discovered a tumour last week when the 55-year-old complained of being unwell, and he was immediately admitted to hospital.

Surgical staff said they were hopeful they had caught the cancer before it had spread.

Speaking at his home in Reigate, Surrey, Owen said he was "extremely pleased" to be back.

'Incredibly kind'

"The doctors are very encouraging that all is now well. I look forward to a few weeks of reading and watching the news rather than delivering it," he said.

"I've been overwhelmed by the many messages and good wishes I have had. People have been incredibly kind to me."

Owen is one of ITV's senior journalists, and started his career at the Surrey Mirror in 1964, before stints on the London Evening Standard, Daily Telegraph and the Financial Times.

He joined the BBC as an industrial reporter in 1981, before moving to ITN three years later, working on its programmes for Channel 4 before switching to its ITV bulletins. He was royal correspondent for six years until 2000, and now acts as a special correspondent and weekend newsreader.

Earlier this year Owen - who trained as a boxer at school - hit the headlines for stepping in to help a cashier being attacked at a petrol station in south-east London.