Spotty cactus

[Trethew]

Does anyone know what’s wrong with it? Bright orange spots around the base. Started about Christmas and slowly spreading

Where are you keeping it? It looks like cold spots, which would be a likely diagnosis if it's since Christmas, and cold weather, especially if it has not had frost protection.
It is Ferocactus latispinus BTW.

Ah I hoped you’d pop up!

It’s overwintered in unheated conservatory. The spots are really bright, like orange peel. Pic does not show it well. I usually lose a couple of succulents over the winter, but never seen this before. It had no water between October and end of March. Wondered if it was fungal

While you’re there, what’s happening here? Is it growing ears or flowers?

Ah yes, if the conservatory was unheated that probably explains the orange spotting, We had quite a few very cold nights last winter and Feros really need to be a bit warmer. Shouldn't be cause for alarm (I hope!) just unsightly.
And congratulations! You have flower buds on your Echinocereus rigidissimus v. rubrispinus (it's a pain writing labels for some of these plants ). These won't be in a hurry to develop, so a few weeks away yet, but when it flowers - WOW!! Gorgeous deep pinkish purple with a white throat - they are really spectacular! I don't think this species is scented, but other Echinocerei are, with a beautiful perfume. Do post some pics when it flowers!