Stand up comedian Rhod Gilbert has spoken about his cancer battle and his optimism for the future, amid recovering from surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The 54-year-old from Carmarthen announced in Juy 2022 that he was receiving treatment at Velindre Cancer Hospital Centre in Cardiff, for which he is a patron.
The comedian was forced to cancel his latest stand up tour Book of John due to persistent neck and throat pain which was later diagnosed as cancer. In an interview with the Guardian newspaper, Rhod has now detailed his treatment, as well as his hopes for 2023 and beyond.
In his first national newspaper interview since the stage four diagnosis, he said that the treatment has meant he sometimes spends "whole weeks" in bed recovering. Detailing the gruelling regiment he said: “Some days I’m well enough to potter and other days, or whole weeks, I’m in bed”. He went on to add that he hasn't "had time to process it [the diagnosis] at all".
Read more: Comedian Rhod Gilbert has opened up on his cancer battle
Last year he explained to the BBC how he first discovered the cancer. He said: "I had a terribly sore throat, tightness through my neck. I was having to cancel shows because I couldn't breathe. I was having all sorts of problems and we couldn't get to the bottom of it."
He added that his symptoms became worse when he was in Cuba, while he was fundraising for Velindre. He said: "In May, I noticed lumps started popping up in places they shouldn't be. It turns out I've got Stage 4 cancer. I also caught Covid on that walk as well. I came home with cancer and Covid from a Velindre fundraising trek... the irony of that! I went as a Velindre patron and came home as a patient."
He was speaking to the newspaper about the digital and DVD release of The Book of John, the show he was touring before coronavirus and then the cancer diagnosis put a halt to it. The comedian has in the past been open about his struggles with infertility with his wife Sian Harris, and a mini stroke, all of which feature as part of the show.
He says that by talking about such topics it has opened up new conversations with his audience. Telling the newspaper he said: "As I got older, I started to feel – and maybe this is a bit wanky – that I’ve got a bit of a platform here. And I should be doing more with it than just talking about toothbrushes." He also added “I have definitely become somebody who wants to be really open and talk about stuff, and who sees the value in talking."
“Years ago, if I’d gone for a walk down the beach with the dog, I’d have kept my head down and not engaged with anybody. Whereas now, if somebody stops me, I’ll end up in an hour’s chat about infertility, cancer, whatever. The most intimate conversations," he added.
Speaking of the future, he said that while "the cancer is on my mind 24/7", when he can he is writing new material based on his experiences. The final dates of the Postponed Book of John tour are set to take place in 2023, something the comedian said has given him focus.
“All my work has gone. My social life has gone. Everything has gone. Everything. It’s just me and this bloody cancer, really," he told the newspaper. “Having them is something to look forward to, really. But I’m making things sound very gloomy, and they’re not.” He continued, "I feel fine, weirdly. I’m happy, optimistic and hopeful that next year it’ll all come good.”
READ NEXT:
