A LOCAL news station anchor has addressed his weeks-long absence after fans feared for his health.

Good Day Atlanta host Buck Lanford took to social media to give thanks for the support in a heartwarming post.

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Good Day Atlanta host Buck Lanford, seen smiling for his 25th Thanksgiving with the station in 2023, has addressed his absence from the programCredit: Facebook/Buck Lanford FOX 5

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He shared a picture of a tumbler and said he had to get surgery to repair an old football injuryCredit: Facebook/Buck Lanford FOX 5
On January 10, Atlanta-based journalist Lanford announced that he had to take a step back from hosting duties to recover from a recent surgery.

He said that he had a “long overdue procedure” to fix a years-old football injury, and thanked fans for expressing concern.

“I’m on the mend and doing as well as could be expected,” the host for Fox affiliate station WAGA wrote on his Facebook page.

He went on to thank WAGA’s Eric Perry for filling in for him while he recovers.

“I look forward to getting back to doing what I do best… running my mouth and filling it with delicious burgers… as soon as humanly possible,” he wrote, referencing a food review segment that he hosts.

Friends and co-hosts flooded the comments with well-wishes and light teasing to encourage Lanford’s recovery.

“Feel better and don’t try and act like Superman,” said fellow Good Morning Atlanta host Sharon Lawson.

“You’ll be back here annoying me before you know it.”

Another coworker told him to get well soon as other fans said they were praying for him.

“Wait… you’ve been gone,” a different coworker, Paul Milliken, joked in the comments.

“Get ready Milliken, I’ll be at full strength when I get back,” Lanford hit back.

A spokesperson for WAGA said that Lanford will be out for around six weeks, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

Lanford has been with the news station since 1998 after he worked as a sports anchor with CBS affiliate WTOC in nearby Savannah, Georgia.

Since beginning with the station, Lanford has covered the Super Bowl, World Series, The Masters, PGA Championship, March Madness Final Four, and many other significant events, his bio on the site says.

An Atlanta native, he’s won five Emmy Awards for his coverage.

Lanford has three children.

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Lanford has been with the news station since 1998Credit: Facebook/Buck Lanford FOX 5