Holloway praises UV logo after skin cancer removal

Ian Holloway says he wants to raise awareness of the dangers of skin cancer

Swindon Town manager Ian Holloway has said he wants his skin cancer diagnosis to raise awareness of the disease.

The 62-year-old had surgery to remove a cancerous growth from his face in May, which he said made him "painfully aware" of the risks of sun exposure.

The veteran boss, who had spells in charge of Bristol Rovers as well as stints in the Premier League with Blackpool and Crystal Palace, said "many people don't think about sun safety until it's too late".

His experience has helped to inspire the Robins' new sun-sensitive training kit, which has an ultraviolet (UV) logo that changes colour when levels are high.

"I don't think people realise the dangers of UV light," said Holloway, adding he hoped the development of the logos could save lives.

He said when doctors examined him, they called him an "idiot" with "skin like a satsuma".

"My skin is dried up like a prune," he added. "I don't think people realise the dangers of UV light."

Holloway has now 10 skin samples tested and will have to have regular check-ups for the rest of his life.

"My hope is that by sharing my story, I can motivate others to enjoy the sun safely, protect themselves, and never ignore the warning signs that something might be wrong," he said.

He added that he wanted to see a change in attitudes and hoped the logo would act as a reminder for people to take other sun protection steps such as applying sun cream.

Holloway said he believed many people do not fully understand the dangers of sun exposure

Hannah Penn is the managing director of Pablo's, the firm behind the UV logos, and said playing sport was an extra risk factor for sun damage as athletes are "exposed for long periods".

Ms Penn was herself diagnosed with melanoma, a potentially-deadly form of skin cancer, in 2022 and said she hoped the logo would "spark the behaviour change we urgently need".

She also urged people to take precautions against the sun all year round, adding: "In reality, UV is strong enough to damage skin in one out of every four autumn and winter days in the UK."