Toucher Calls A Time-Out
• Fred Toucher, the “Toucher” half of the hugely successful Toucher & Rich morning show on Beasley Sports-Talk WBZ-FM (98.5 The Sports Hub)/Boston announced he’s taking an extended leave of absence from the show to deal with some serious vocal issues he’s been experiencing for a while.
Last Friday, Toucher tweeted, “Just wanted you guys to know that I had an exam of my throat today. They found some things that aren’t ideal. I am under orders not to talk at all. I will undergo surgery soon. So obviously I’ll be off the air for awhile. I have the best Doc so that’s good.”
Toucher’s co-host Rich Shertenlieb officially broke the news on Monday’s show, as he shared a statement from Toucher (also posted online) that reads, in part, “My voice has been messed up for a long time. I had been going to doctors and they didn’t seem overly concerned. However, a listener heard me and put me in touch with a doctor he works with. I went and things didn’t go great. He found some things in my throat that concerned him. He told me not to worry because he could fix all of it. Not to sound dramatic, but it is possible a listener saved my life by setting up that appointment. To that, I am grateful, even though the doctor doesn’t take insurance. Between this and my divorce, I’m fucked financially! Sorry kids — Christmas is going to look a lot different this year.”
Toucher’s statement continues: “If you stick around long enough there are going to be tough times. Rich has had them, guys behind the scenes have had them and here I go again with mine. [Ed. note: Toucher did take some personal time off from the show in July 2020 as a result of his then impending divorce.]
He added, “It has been my pleasure to share my journey over the last 17 years with you guys. I knew that if I let you in on enough of my crap it would pay off one day.” In closing, Toucher said, “I will be back. That is for sure. In the meantime, your mornings are going to be a little happier and less fat. I’m going to write a bunch of stuff for the website. So you will know what’s up with me if you choose to care.”
