Rhod Gilbert shares cancer update as he admits he's 'pinching himself' over performing stand

Release time：2024-05-22 11:18:07 Source：Global Gazetteer news portal

Rhod Gilbert is delighted to be back on stage performing stand-up comedy two years after he was diagnosed with cancer. 

The star, 55, was diagnosed with head and neck cancer in 2022 and battled the disease before getting the all clear in October last year.

During a fundraising trek he noticed a few symptoms which later turned out to be head and neck cancer.

But the performer is pleased to be doing what he loves once again as he heads out on tour and welcoming fellow cancer into his audiences who 'take some power back from this wretched disease by laughing at it'.

On his current health, he said during an appearance on The One Show on Monday: 'Still all clear. Still in the care of the wonderful Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff. I get checked every few weeks but still all clear.

Rhod Gilbert is delighted to be back on stage performing stand-up comedy two years after he was diagnosed with cancer (seen on The One Show on Monday)

The performer is pleased to be heading out on tour and welcoming fellow cancer into his audiences who 'take some power back from this wretched disease by laughing at it' (pictured in November last year)

'I feel wonderful. I've got lots of issues that I may or may not have for the rest of my life, who knows. Who cares!

'I'm here, I'm good and every night, I'm on stage pinching myself that I'm doing this. That I'm on stage performing just now two years after being diagnosed.'

The funnyman is performing throughout the UK in 2024 and 2025 on his Rhod Gilbert & The Giant Grapefruit tour and he says his illness influenced some of the content of his show.

Rhod explained: 'Grapefruit, partly a nod to the tumour that was in my neck, and partly the thing of when life gives you lemons you make lemonade.

'Well this is what to do when life starts throwing grapefruits at you which is even worse in my opinion but it's a happy show, it's an uplifting show.'

Rhod received his first clear scan in October last year after undergoing treatment for stage four cancer.

He was diagnosed with head and neck cancer in July 2022, and was treated at the Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff, where he had been a fundraising patron for a decade before the diagnosis.

He underwent surgery for metastatic cancer of the head and neck, followed by sessions of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. 

The star, 55, was diagnosed with head and neck cancer in 2022 and battled the disease before getting the all clear in October last year (pictured last year)

The funnyman is performing throughout the UK in 2024 and 2025 on his Rhod Gilbert & The Giant Grapefruit tour and he says his illness influenced some of the content of his show (pictured in 2018)

Rhod previously spoke to the Radio Times, where he described finding out that his cancer hadn't spread as 'the best day of my life'.

He recalled: 'I was back on the road earlier this year, I got a call to say my latest scan had shown the cancer was in the areas they knew about, but it wasn't in my lungs or my brain.'

He then had his first clear scan, saying: 'The best thing was that the tumour had gone, and it was once again an ordinary blood vessel.' 

Rhod revealed he was battling cancer in 2022 in a statement issued across social media, just days after pausing his tour at the time.

He wrote: 'As a proud patron of Velindre Cancer Centre, I've trekked the world, hosted chaotic quizzes and star-studded comedy nights. 

'I've met and made friends with so many inspirational staff, patients and their families. It has been a huge part of my life for the last ten years.

'So while I never imagined that I would be a patient here, I know better than anyone that I am in the best possible hands. 

'The NHS care I'm receiving is incredible. I wouldn't wish this on anyone...but who knows, maybe I'll come out the other end with a new stand-up show and a 40 minute rant about orange squash.

'Thank you everyone for your support over the last few weeks and months (and years). 

'I'll be disappearing for a while and won't be commenting further, at least not for now, whilst I focus on my recovery.'

Related articles