Francis Brennan opens up about brother John's…

Francis Brennan opens up about brother John's incurable cancer diagnosis and not knowing what the future holds

Francis Brennan says he didn't know what would happen to his business after his brother John was diagnosed with an incurable form of cancer.

The RTE star and hotelier, best known for working on TV show At Your Service and running Kenmare Park hotel in Kerry, said when John, with whom he runs his businesses, was diagnosed with non Hodgkins lymphoma in 2020, he didn't know what the future held.

While incurable, John's cancer is thankfully treatable, and he has learned to live with it.

Francis told RSVP Magazine: "When John got ill, we didn't know where it was going to go if the business was going to end, but he is ferociously positive about his cancer, and he never dwells on it.

"Thank God he is clear at the moment, the people in Cork University Hospital look after him very well."

Francis said his strong faith has helped him get through the hardships in life, such as John's cancer diagnosis and the death of his mum Maura.

His faith has taught him not to dwell on the past but to live in the moment and look forward to the future.

He said: "My mother passing away was very sad, but she was 97. If we can all get to that age, that would be great! It was fortunate that she passed away a few weeks before Covid hit, so everything was normal, which was great.

"I've been very lucky over the years. Now, it hasn't always been easy, and personally, I lost a lot, but I don't dwell on that. I never look back. I always look forward. I have great faith."

Francis admits life hasn't always been easy, but that has never made him question his faith.

"I believe in God and pray every day and reference things in my life to my religion. Yesterday I was looking at a gorgeous hibiscus plant and thought it was beautiful," he told us.

"Without the Lord, that wouldn't be there. My faith is very important to me."

Although he is an expert when it comes to the hotel industry, Francis has also carved out a successful TV career for himself with RTE.

He credits John for giving him the nudge to go for it, as he was initially hesitant to take the national broadcaster up on an offer for his own TV show.

"John encouraged me to do TV, saying it would be something exciting and different, so I agreed to it - and the rest, as they say, is history," he said.

"I had been on television a few times, on shows such as Nationwide and the Late Late Show, but I didn't have a show of my own. RTE approached me with At Your Service, and then from there, we developed Francis Brennan's Grand Tour.

"It all grew very organically. I never planned for it to happen."

At Your Service is finally back on our screens this month following a hiatus due to Covid-19.

The show, which sees Francis and John visit hotels across the country, was disrupted at times due to the pandemic, but they are very pleased with the end result, and viewers have a lot to look forward to.

Francis explained: "It's a little bit different from other years because they are hour-long shows, meaning they are more in-depth. There are four shows, which were filmed over two years, unfortunately, because of what we have been through with Covid.

"It was difficult for the businesses involved in the series because they were opening, closing, building, having to stop… they had been through a nightmare.

"It hasn't been a smooth run like other years, but at least we can get it out on television. Every place featured bar one is open, and trading and the last place is still decorating, but they will get there."