WATCH: Darlington TV presenter Pam Royle: 'My skin cancer nightmare'

The much-loved North-East news reader revealed tonight that she is “very, very lucky” after undergoing emergency surgery for invasive skin cancer.

• The killer that almost went unseen

The shocking diagnosis was made last summer and, although she is still having regular checks, there is so far no sign that the disease has spread.

She is speaking out now because she wants to warn others about the importance of using suncream and to not underestimate freckles or moles that may have changed shape or become bigger.

The Tyne Tees TV presenter first noticed “something a bit strange” just above her left knee while she was relaxing in the bath after taking her springer spaniel, Lola, for a walk last summer.

Initially, she thought it was a thorn that would sort itself out but when it was still there two weeks later, she went to see her GP. She ended up being referred to the One Life Centre in Middlesbrough, where a cancer diagnosis left her in tears.

A biopsy showed that it was an invasive melanoma which had penetrated into the dermis ­– the second layer of skin containing blood cells. She then underwent further surgery to remove a deeper section of skin, eight centimetres in diameter.

Pam with her husband Mike

“The doctors have told me that I’ve been very, very lucky and I want others to know that they must never take any risks with what may seem something innocuous,” she said.

Dr Rob Ellis, consultant dermatologist at The James Cook University Hospital, said: “It was extremely fortunate that Pam noticed the change to her skin that led to the discovery of her melanoma and it could be removed at an early stage.

“The assumption is that melanoma begins in the top layer of skin - or the epidermis - and over time, likely months, this can begin to invade through the bottom of the epidermis, into the dermis.

“This is where blood vessels and lymphatic vessels are located and once they reach this point, the melanoma can use these vessels to spread to other parts of the body.

The melanoma that led to the diagnosis

“The longer a melanoma is left, the deeper it can invade - and hence the worse the prognosis. If they are caught early and removed when less than one millimetre in size, the majority of melanomas are cured, whereas the likelihood of spread increases greatly for every millimetre deeper.

“That is why it is crucial to check your skin regularly and be aware of any new moles or skin conditions you may develop, or any changes to existing moles and skin conditions or lesions.

"These should be reported to your GP as soon as you spot them and if he or she thinks these require further investigation, you can then be referred to a skin specialist.”