Throat cancer rumors disputed by Ray

Los Angeles -- A representative for Rachel Ray says rumors the U.S. TV cooking show personality may be temporarily silenced by a throat cancer operation are untrue.

Spokesman Charlie Dougiello said while the culinary celebrity is to have surgery on her vocal cord, it will have no impact on the taping of Ray's show, People magazine reported Friday.

"Rachael is the picture of health. She is having very minor surgery to remove a benign cyst on her vocal cord," Dougiello said. "It's a common in-and-out procedure that she will have in early December and it will not adversely effect any of her daytime show or Food Network tapings."

People said The National Enquirer had reported Ray, 40, would lose her voice for two months due to a throat cancer operation.

An unidentified source told the magazine reports of a significant illness were inaccurate.

"She's totally fine. It's just something she needs to take care of. She hasn't been feeling ill," the source said.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.