Rhod Gilbert has admitted his cancer diagnosis “upset” him and reveals he had trouble “talking or breathing” after finding a lump in his neck.
The 54-year-old comedian revealed he had stage four cancer last year and was treated at a center he previously raised money for through charity tours.
Although he initially didn’t specify where the illness lay, Rhod has now revealed he was diagnosed with head and neck cancer last year but insisted he was on the road to recovery.
He returned to screens for the first time since his diagnosis on Friday when he delivered a moving speech benefiting Stand Up 2 Cancer during the National Comedy Awards.
The Welsh star has been open about his diagnosis and reflecting on the moment he found a lump in his neck that was affecting his ability to speak and breathe properly.
Cancer: Rhod Gilbert has admitted his stage four cancer diagnosis “upset” him, revealing he was having trouble “talking or breathing” due to a lump in his neck.
In the recorded segment from his home, he said: “I couldn’t speak or breathe and I’ve been rescheduling and canceling tour shows, I’ve had terrible spasms in my face and a lot of tightness in my muscles.
“Couldn’t get to the bottom of it, after a biopsy of this lump in my neck it turned out I have something called head and neck cancer, cancer of the head, sounded pretty serious.”
Rhod went on to admit his stage four diagnosis “upset” him as he joked he thought he would have “lifelong immunity” after spending 10 years as a cancer center patron.
He said: “I’ve led five fundraising tours around the world, I do stand-up comedy nights to raise money, I host quizzes… it’s been a big part of my life for the last 10 years, so put it.” Imagine my surprise I’ve been diagnosed with cancer.
“Which pissed me off to no end because I thought I had immunity for life! Apparently not.
“Apparently, even if you spend your time raising funds for a cancer hospital, you’re just as likely to get cancer. Anyway, I got it, and it turns out it can come for anyone.’
Rhod also revealed that he “ironically” first found the lump in his neck while he was in Cuba on a hike to raise funds for the charity Velindre Cancer Center, where he is now a patient.
He added: “The other irony is that I was on a hike in Cuba to raise funds for this cancer center when the first damn lump appeared on my neck. I literally left as a patron and came back as a patient.’
Emotional: He returned to screens for the first time since his diagnosis on Friday when he delivered a moving speech during a VT at the National Comedy Awards
Health: The Welsh star has been open about his diagnosis and reflecting on the moment he found a lump in his neck that was affecting his ability to speak and breathe properly
Rhod explained that he then underwent surgery, daily radiotherapy and chemotherapy at the Cardiff Cancer Center, of which he is a patron.
“I had to have chemotherapy sessions in a room with pictures of me on my way in grinning down at myself as a patron,” he said, laughing.
However, Rhod said he was feeling “really happy and really positive” as he insisted he was on the road to recovery and hoped to lead a charity trip to Morocco soon.
He said: “My facial hair is coming back, my voice is back to normal, my weight is coming back, my salivary glands are starting to come back. Basically I come back. My physical recovery goal is to lead the next fundraising trek to Morocco.”
Although he admitted he’s still “a little” away from his goal, he added: “I’m feeling optimistic and, oddly enough, I’m feeling really happy and really positive.”
After watching his moving speech at the awards ceremony, viewers quickly took to Twitter to share their support for the beloved comedian.
One person wrote: “So good to see Rhod Gilbert recovering and feeling good. He’s an amazing comic and a lovely person and we’re so lucky to have him.
Another said: “Rhod Gilbert everyone you have helped get through difficult times by making them laugh we send prayers and love to you wishing you a speedy recovery.”
Diagnosis: Rhod said his stage four diagnosis “upset” him as he joked he thought he would have “lifelong immunity” after spending 10 years as a cancer center patron
Support: After watching his moving speech at the awards ceremony, viewers quickly took to Twitter to share their support for the beloved comedian
A third commented: “Glad to see Rhod Gilbert back on our TV screens. He was one of the first comedians I ever dealt with and I hope he’ll be cracking jokes and making us laugh for many years to come.”
While a fourth tweeted: “Great to see Rhod Gilbert at the #nationalcomedyawards and hear he is on the road to recovery.”
And a fifth wrote: “Seeing Rhod Gilbert sound good and look good is so good,” while another added: “All the love Rhod Gilbert.”
His return to television comes after Rhod had to postpone performances in January due to gallstones and recurring gallbladder infections.
He told fans in December: “I really can’t wait to get back on stage but on doctor’s advice I have to wait a little longer.”
He continued, “Thank you each and every one of you for your continued patience, rest assured the show WILL go on.”
His Edinburgh gigs are August 21-23 and 25-27 at the Gilded Balloon.
Last month, Rhod said he would use his cancer diagnosis as stand-up material and was optimistic about the year ahead.
In his first interview since receiving treatment, the Welshman revealed he thinks about his cancer 24/7, but added there was “humor in it”.
Career: Last month, Rhod said he will use his cancer diagnosis as stand-up material and is optimistic about the year ahead
Speaking to The Guardian, Rhod began: “It feels weird. I don’t know how much to talk about cancer. I haven’t really figured out what to say.
“I’m really conscious of mental health now and I check myself every day. I feel fine, weird. I am happy, optimistic and hopeful that everything will be fine next year.”
He explained that despite the loss of his social life and job, he is determined to poke fun at serious subjects on his upcoming The Book Of John tour.
He said: “When I’m done with that, the next show will go in a similar direction. Cancer keeps me busy 24/7, but when I’m well enough to write, I write a few things down. And there’s humor in there, definitely.”
WHAT IS HEAD AND NECK CANCER?
Head and neck cancer is an umbrella term for cancers of the nose, mouth, throat, larynx, thyroid and salivary glands.
It is the eighth most common cancer in the UK with over 12,000 cases diagnosed each year.
There are more than 30 areas of the head and neck where cancer can develop, including the mouth, lips, larynx, pharynx, and salivary glands.
Oral cancer is the most common type of head and neck cancer, while larynx cancer can arise in the tissues of the larynx.
Thyroid cancer, brain tumors, eye cancer, and esophageal cancer are not usually classified as head and neck cancers.
Source: NHS