text: Nick Robinson returned to the TV screens last night, with his voice still recovering its strength after his cancer treatment. The BBC's Political Editor announced at the start of March that he would be taking some weeks off for treatment for a rare lung tumour. But he expressed hopes he would be fit again in time to cover 'the election proper'. Last night he returned to the BBC's News at Six to analyse the Labour's party's manifesto from the studio. BBC political editor Nick Robinson made a brief return to TV screens last night (pictured), although his voice sounded weak and strained following his cancer surgery . Mr Robinson's voice sounded weak and strained after his treatment for a bronchial carcinoid tumour which involved surgery to stop cancer spreading to other parts of the body. Afterwards he tweeted: 'Good to be back on air. Don't worry about the voice. It doesn't hurt and I'm not risking my recovery.' He said he was listening to his doctors and speech therapist. His return comes at a vital stage of the campaign, when the parties lay out their programmes for government to voters. The Tories' manifesto is unveiled today and the Liberal Democrats' is on Wednesday. Mr Robinson, 51, who is married with three children, has been sent an outpouring of good wishes, led by Prime Minister David Cameron. In a message recorded for the BBC website earlier yesterday, Mr Robinson said his return was a 'small step' and he did not expect to return to the campaign trail full-time at this stage. 'I'm taking my next small step back to reporting the election after my recent operation. As you can hear, my voice is still recovering and it's got a way to go yet. I'm not ready to go on the campaign trail full-time, but I will be watching this week's manifesto launches and the big opposition parties' debate on Thursday. 'I'll be blogging and I hope doing a little bit of broadcasting like this too. I would like to thank all those people who have sent me good wishes – it's really strengthened me. 'It's a fascinating election with an extraordinarily unpredictable result and I can't wait to get back to reporting it full-time, which, fingers crossed, could be fairly soon.' While he has been away, deputy political editor James Landale has been anchoring the election coverage and intereviewed all the major party leaders - landing the scoop that Mr Cameron would not stand for a third term if re-elected.
target: The reporter announced early March he would take time off due to tumour .
  He made a brief return last night with his voice still recovering its strength .
  Mr Robinson's voice sounded weak and strained following his treatment .
  The BBC political editor said he hoped to be back full-time 'fairly soon'