COMEDIAN Rhod Gilbert has opened up about his cancer diagnosis saying “it p***ed me off”.
The Never Mind The Buzzcocks star first revealed he had been undergoing treatment for the disease last year.
Rhod Gilbert has opened up about his cancer diagnosis
The comedian battling stage four cancer
Rhod is known for Never Mind The Buzzcocks
Welshman Rhod, 54, is battling stage four cancer of the head and neck.
The stand-up comic returned to screens for the first time since his diagnosis to make a moving speech during the Comedy Awards, which was in aid of Stand Up 2 Cancer.
Speaking in the pre-recorded video from his home, he said: “I couldn’t speak or breathe and I was postponing and cancelling tour shows, I had terrible spasms in my face and a lot of tightness in my muscles.
“Couldn’t get to the bottom of it, turns out after a biopsy of this lump in my neck that I have something called head and neck cancer, cancer of the head, sounded pretty serious.”
Rhod went on: “I’ve led five fundraising treks all over the world, I do stand-up comedy nights to raise money, I hosted quizzes… it’s been a big part of my life for the last 10 years, so imagine my surprise when I was diagnosed with cancer.
“Which p***ed me off no end, because I thought I’d have life-long immunity! Apparently not.
“Apparently you’re just as likely to get cancer even if you spend your time fundraising for a cancer hospital. Anyway, I did get it, and it turns out it can come for anybody.”
Meanwhile, earlier this week Rhod revealed that despite fighting cancer, he will be making a return to work later this year.
The comedian is due to take to the stage as part of the Edinburgh Festival in August 2023 with a short run of his “work in progress” shows.
His new gigs are due to take place on the 21-23 and 25-27 August at the Gilded Balloon in Edinburgh.
Rhod, who has been receiving treatment at the Velindre Cancer Hospital in Cardiff, was forced to cancel his last tour Book of John due to his health.
The star was suffering from persistent neck and throat pain before he was diagnosed with stage four cancer.
Rhod was on a charity fundraising trek when he started to feel ill and noticed lumps appearing on his body.
His January performances are said to have been postponed due to gallstones and recurring gallbladder infections.
In December, Rhod was rushed to hospital and snapped photos of himself receiving treatment in A&E.
But despite the setback he promised to “get back on stage”, while vowing to wait for his “doctor’s advice”.
He told fans on social media: “I thank each one of you for your continuing patience, rest assured, the show WILL go on.”
It came just months after he opened up on his cancer battle, saying he is feeling “happy, positive and optimistic.”
The comedian believes he’s winning his battle and feeling better every day, after undergoing chemotherapy, radiation treatment and surgery after his diagnosis.
Rhod said: “I’m feeling good and feel like I’m recovering day-by-day.
“Some days I’m well enough to do a bit of writing and I’ve got a feeling when I’ve got through all this there’ll be a show in it.”
Rhod is TV regular, having appeared on Mock The Week, 8 Out of 10 Cats and Have I Got News For You and he was the permanent presenter of Never Mind The Buzzcocks for its final series in 2011.
The Welshman has also hosted his own shows, Ask Rhod Gilbert, Rhod Gilbert’s Work Experience and Rhod Gilbert’s Teen Tribes.
In 2016, Rhod took over as host on The Apprentice: You’re Fired, which he did until just a few years ago.
More recently, he took over from Nick Knowles on DIY SOS.
Rhod is set to return to the stage this year
