I have in fact had a STROKE…maybe two of them, Howard Sattler told his 6PR Perth audience before going on two weeks leave to recuperate.

Sattler didn’t know he’d had a stroke until he underwent a series of tests to determine why he was slurring his speech and having such difficulty getting through his daily shift. It got so bad that some listeners even complained to the station, thinking that Sattler was drunk on air.

Among more outlandish speculation it was rumoured that his slurred speech was the result of a botox treatment gone wrong.

In an on-air address he thanked the management of 6PR, “especially General Manager Martin Boylen and Program Manager John Solvander,  for their support and understanding during this difficult period. At all times their primary concern has been to the restoration of my health and my wellbeing.

“My closest work colleagues, producers Kate and Pippa, have borne the brunt of your concerns over my performance. Thank you my angels,” he said.

Click here for a full transcript of Sattler’s address.