Legendary heavy metal guitarist Tony Iommi (HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH) was a guest on the October 20, 2009 edition of BBC Radio 2's "The Radcliffe And Maconie Show".

A couple of photos taken during Tony's appearance on the program can be viewed below.

Regarding recent reports that he was due to undergo surgery on his hand, Iommi said, "I've had this problem with my hand and I've had this stem cell treatment on it. [I have to wear a guard on my hand] to stop me from banging it. But it's coming on good. The cartilage [was worn out between] the joints, and the joints [were] rubbing on the joints. It was bone to bone and it was getting a bit painful. And I've done it for quite awhile — 18 months — and I've been taking anti-inflammatories and painkillers. But I just wanted to stop doing it, 'cause it upsets your stomach, and get it done. This is the latest thing, so we'll see if it works."

Iommi, who is left-handed, lost the tips of the middle and ring finger of his right hand in an accident when he was a sheet metal worker, aged 17.

Iommi said: "The hospital told me that I should give up the guitar but I went back and made these thimbles from melted Fairy Liquid bottles. I melted them down and soldered them to make a fingertip. It was a crude version but I still have to use them today."

According to The Times, the Robens Centre for Health Ergonomics at the University of Surrey has researched musculoskeletal disorders that affect electric guitar players.

Peter Buckle said: "We have found a whole set of injuries affecting the hand, arms and wrist which you would normally associate with working on a hard, fast production line.

"Strain injuries result from overexertion and the way that guitarists hold their instruments. The temptation for younger musicians is to press too hard on the strings and try to force the frets.

"Holding the instrument away from the body to excite an audience may look good but it can put a huge pressure on the shoulder and upper arms."