Outspoken broadcaster Alan Jones will be forced off-air indefinitely for major back surgery, sparking concerns by colleagues over his recent run of ill health.

The top-rating breakfast presenter and TV host, who is reliant on a walking stick, told staff at Sydney station 2GB that he will take indefinite leave from November 21 to be "sliced and diced" by doctors. "I have had all sorts of problems for a lot of years and it's just got hopeless at the moment," he said.

"I have had in the past three interventions in my back and now the thing has got chronic, so I am in for some major surgery. I wanted to leave it until the end of the year but unfortunately I can't because of the pain. Pain has never killed anyone by the way, but this has got out of control."

Jones, who is thought to be 75, told Fairfax Media that his back problems started during his time as coach of the Australian rugby team in the 1980s and had worsened. "I used to get injections in my spine every three months and that would give me some sort of relief but none of that is working," he said.