Rhod Gilbert has admitted his cancer diagnosis ‘p***ed him off’ and reveals he struggled to ‘speak or breathe’ after finding a lump on his neck.
The comedian, 54, revealed he had stage four cancer last year and he was being treated at a centre he had previously raised money for by doing charity treks.
Though he didn’t initially specify where the disease was, Rhod has now revealed he was diagnosed with cancer of the head and neck last year, but insisted he is on the road to recovery.
He returned to screens for the first time since his diagnosis on Friday as he made a moving speech during the National Comedy Awards, which was in aid of Stand Up 2 Cancer.
The Welsh star spoke candidly about his diagnosis and reflected on the moment he found a lump in his neck, which affected his ability to speak and breathe properly.
Cancer: Rhod Gilbert has admitted that his stage four cancer diagnosis ‘p***ed him off’ and reveals he struggled to ‘speak or breathe’ due to a lump on his neck
Speaking in the pre-recorded segment 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 to admit that his stage four diagnosis ‘p***ed him off’ as he joked he thought he would have ‘life-long immunity’ after spending 10 years as a patron for a cancer centre.
He said: ‘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.’
Rhod also revealed that he ‘ironically’ first found the lump in his neck while he was in Cuba on a trek to fundraise for Velindre Cancer Centre charity, where he is now a patient.
He added: ‘The other irony is that I was in Cuba on a trek, fundraising for this cancer centre when the first b****y lump popped up in 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 as he made a moving speech during a VT at the National Comedy Awards
Health: The Welsh star spoke candidly about his diagnosis and reflected on the moment he found a lump in his neck, which affected his ability to speak and breathe properly
Rhod explained that he then underwent surgery, daily radiotherapy and chemotherapy at the Cardiff cancer centre, where he is a patron for.
‘I had to have chemotherapy sessions in a room with pictures of me on the way in, grinning down at myself as a patron,’ he said with a laugh.
However, Rhod said he was feeling ‘really happy and really positive’ as he insisted he is on the road to recovery and hopes to soon lead a charity trek to Morocco.
He said: ‘My facial hair is coming back, my voice is back to normal, my weight is coming back, my saliva glands are starting to come back. Basically, I’m coming back. My physically recovery goal is to lead the next fundraising trek to Morocco.’
Although he admitted he is still ‘a little way’ off his goal, he added: ‘I’m feeling optimistic and weirdly I’m feeling really happy and really positive.’
After watching his moving speech at the awards show, viewers were quick to take to Twitter to share their support for the beloved funnyman.
One person penned: ‘So good to see Rhod Gilbert recovering and feeling good. He’s a fantastic comic and a lovely person and we’re so lucky to have him.’
Another said: ‘Rhod Gilbert everyone who you’ve helped get through tough times by making them laugh, we sending prays and love to you, wish you a speedy recovery.’
Diagnosis: Rhod said his stage four diagnosis ‘p***ed him off’ as he joked he thought he would have ‘life-long immunity’ after spending 10 years as a patron for a cancer centre
Support: After watching his moving speech at the awards show, viewers were quick to take to Twitter to share their support for the beloved funnyman
A third commented: ‘Great to see Rhod Gilbert on our TV screens again. He was one of the first comedians I ever got into and I hope he gets to continue cracking jokes and making us laugh for many years to come.’
While a fourth tweeted: ‘Great to see Rhod Gilbert on the #nationalcomedyawards and to hear that he’s on the road to recovery.’
And a fifth wrote: ‘Seeing Rhod Gilbert sounding and looking well is so good,’ while another added: ‘All the love Rhod Gilbert.’
His return to TV comes after Rhod had to postpone performances in January due to gallstones and recurring gallbladder infections.
He told fans in December: ‘I genuinely can’t wait to get back on stage, but on doctor’s advice, I’ll have to wait a little longer.’
He continued: ‘I thank each and every one of you for your continuing patience, rest assured, the show WILL go on.’
His Edinburgh gigs will take place on 21 to 23 and 25 to 27 August at the Gilded Balloon.
Last month, Rhod said he will use his cancer diagnosis as stand-up material and is optimistic for the year ahead.
In his first interview since undergoing treatment, the Welshman revealed he thinks about his cancer 24/7 but added there is ‘humour in it.’
Career: Last month, Rhod said he will use his cancer diagnosis as stand-up material and is optimistic for the year ahead
Speaking to The Guardian, Rhod began: ‘It does feel weird. I don’t know how much to talk about the cancer. I haven’t really worked out what to say.
‘I’m really aware of mental health now and I’m checking in with myself every day. I feel fine, weirdly. I’m happy, optimistic and hopeful that next year it’ll all come good.’
He explained that despite losing his social life and job, he is committed to poking fun at serious topics in his upcoming tour, The Book Of John.
He said: ‘When I get through this, 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, I’m jotting down a few things. And there is humour in there, definitely.’