Rhod Gilbert made an emotional return to television on Friday to host Channel 4 special Stand Up to Cancer: The Takeover.
The 55-year-old comedian was diagnosed with head and neck cancer in April 2022 after discovering a lump and was treated at Velindre Cancer Center in Cardiff, where he had been fundraising for a decade before his diagnosis.
Joining a live audience at the Francis Crick Institute in London, he opened the show’s comedy roast with a lighthearted comment on his recent plight after recently being given the all-clear about the illness.
He began: “Tonight’s show comes entirely live from you, and although the prospect of dying on stage in front of millions of viewers is terrifying.”
“For the past year, I have been more afraid of dying alone on a hospital floor in a pool of my own urine.”
He’s back: Rhod Gilbert, 55, made an emotional return to television on Friday to host Channel 4 special Stand Up to Cancer: The Takeover
When the audience responded, he replied, “You don’t have to impress me!” I’m fine and you should be fine too.
“Since it’s a live show, it can go either way, which are also the words my doctors used this time last year,” he joked.
“I’m here because I had cancer last year and now I don’t!” It was in my tonsils, my throat and my tongue.”
The live show was opened by Davina McCall, who co-hosted with Adam Hills, Joe Lycett and Munya Chawawa.
The evening entertainment on Channel 4 included 90 minutes of comedy and music by Rita Ora.
A host of celebrities appeared on the show including Strictly’s Oti Mabuse and actress Cush Jumbo, known for her role in The Good Wife.
The show was followed by a brand new episode of Celebrity Gogglebox and then a thrilling finale of Don’t Look Down with Paddy McGuinness.
The evening concluded with the SU2C Comedy Roast hosted by Rhod.
Raising awareness: The comedian was diagnosed with head and neck cancer in April 2022 after discovering a lump and was treated at Velindre Cancer Center in Cardiff
He’s doing better: Joining a live audience at the Francis Crick Institute in London, he opened the show’s comedy round with a lighthearted comment on his recent plight
Over the last 10 years Rhod has raised almost £2 million for cancer treatment and research.
During a fundraiser, he noticed some symptoms that later turned out to be head and neck cancer.
Rhod’s experiences were captured in his upcoming Channel 4 documentary Rhod Gilbert: A Pain In The Neck.
The show follows the Welshman through his diagnosis and treatment through intimate video diaries.
Describing the decision to film his cancer journey, Rhod said: “I was in bed on Friday and my treatment was due to start the following Monday.”
“I called the team I knew – there was no broadcaster on board, it was all custom – and I asked, ‘How would you like to join me on this journey?’
“It was partly for me. I had canceled all my television appearances and tours and wanted something other than “Cancer” in my schedule.
“I knew I wouldn’t be well enough to go on stage or on TV, but I thought maybe I’d be well enough to lie in bed and talk to a documentary crew about how sick I was.” I thought, “This will give me something to do.”
The documentary will be broadcast on Monday October 30 as part of Channel 4’s Stand Up To Cancer campaign.
Earlier this year, Rhod revealed he had “ironically” first discovered the tumor in his neck while in Cuba on a trip to raise funds for the charity Velindre Cancer Center, where he then became a patient.
He returned to the screen for the first time since his diagnosis in February when he gave a moving speech during the National Comedy Awards, which was held in aid of Stand Up 2 Cancer.
In the recorded segment from his home, he revealed that he found it difficult to “speak or breathe” after discovering a lump on his neck.
Rhod said: “I couldn’t speak or breathe and I was postponing and canceling tour shows, I had terrible cramps in my face and severe tension in my muscles.”
“Couldn’t get to the bottom of it. After a biopsy of that lump in my neck, it turned out I had something called head and neck cancer, which sounded pretty serious.”
Return: He returned to the screen for the first time since his diagnosis in February when he gave a moving speech during the National Comedy Awards, which was held in aid of Stand Up 2 Cancer
Honest: Speaking from home in the pre-recorded segment, he revealed that he found it difficult to “speak or breathe” after discovering a lump on his neck
Rhod admitted his diagnosis left him “upset” as he joked that he thought he would have “lifelong immunity” after working as a cancer center patron for ten years.
He said: “I’ve run five fundraisers around the world, I do stand-up comedy nights to raise money, I’ve hosted quizzes… that’s been a big part of my life for the last 10 years, so ask Imagine my surprise when that happened.” I was diagnosed with cancer.
“Which made me incredibly angry because I thought I had lifelong immunity!” Apparently not.
“Apparently, even if you spend your time raising money for a cancer hospital, you’re just as likely to get cancer.” Anyway, that’s what I got, and it turns out it can apply to anyone.’
He added: “The other irony is that I was in Cuba on a hike to raise funds for this cancer center when the first lump appeared in my neck. “I literally left as a patron and came back as a patient.”
Last month Rhod revealed he plans to return to the stage and is currently planning a comedy tour in 2024 after admitting “life is too short”.
His last tour, Book Of John, ran from 2019 to June 2023, due to health disruptions and the pandemic.
In an interview with BBC Radio Wales, Rhod said he was very grateful to Velindre Cancer Center for “getting me back on my feet”.
He added: “My new attitude is that life is too short, you have to move on and do these things.”
He continued: “I was doodling, had a few ideas and tried a few things.”
“I think I’ll go on tour again next year, everything is taking shape at the moment.”
Comeback: Last month Rhod revealed he plans to return to the stage and is currently planning a comedy tour in 2024 after admitting “life is too short” (pictured in 2018).
Rhod has also said that he will use his cancer diagnosis as stand-up material because he thinks about his cancer 24/7, but added that there is “humor” in it.
Speaking to the Guardian, he admitted: “It actually feels strange.” I don’t know how much to talk about the cancer. I haven’t really figured out what to say.
“I’m really aware of mental health now and check in with myself every day. “I’m strangely fine. I am happy, optimistic and hope that everything will be fine next year.
“Once I’ve done that, the next show will be in a similar vein.” The cancer is on my mind 24/7, but when I’m well enough to write again, I’ll write a few things down. And there’s definitely humor in it.’
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 in the head and neck where cancer can develop, including the mouth, lips, larynx, throat, and salivary glands.
Oral cancer is the most common form of head and neck cancer, while throat cancer can develop in the tissues of the larynx.
Thyroid cancer, brain tumors, eye cancer, and esophageal cancer are not typically classified as head and neck cancers.
Source: NHS