Wildlife SOS host Simon Cowell has sadly been diagnosed with terminal cancer.
The founder of the Wildlife Aid Foundation and popular presenter of the TV series, 70, has been committed to animal rescue for more than 40 years.
His foundation shared the devastating news about the star's health revealing that at the end of June Simon found out he had terminal lung cancer.
They wrote: "At the end of June, after a routine clinical scan, Simon Cowell, our founder, and much-loved face of the TV series ‘Wildlife SOS’, received some devastating news. He has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of lung cancer that is terminal."
Simon has been rescuing animals from his home more than 40 years ago. His 24/7 charity is still based there and has become one of the busiest rescue centres in the country.
Undergoing chemotherapy last month, the conservationist said he was determined to stay positive.
Speaking to SurreyLive, Simon said: “I spent the first week in panic mode, not knowing what to do. Then I thought, you can either bend to it or knuckle down and get on with things.
“They have given me no idea of the timescale. It could be weeks; it could be years. Until we have gone through the chemo we don’t know what’s going on. But I shall remain positive.”
Simon turned his back on a City career 40 years ago and founded the Wildlife Aid Foundation, which has become one of the UK’s busiest wildlife rescue charities.
Paying tribute to the star, his Foundation said: "He has devoted his life to saving wild animals that couldn’t help themselves. Hundreds of thousands have been given a second chance thanks to his compassion and dedication. Tragically, for him there will be no second chances."
The Foundation has also set up a Just Giving page for people to donate to in order to build a Wildlife Aid Foundation HQ.
Speaking about the centre, Simon said he hopes it will continue to help wildlife in need as well as teach children about the importance of the natural habitat.
Wildlife SOS is shown on Animal Planet and has been running since 1996.
In addition to special episodes filmed at wildlife centres on the world, the main focus of the series is on the work of staff and volunteers at the WAF wildlife centre in Surrey.
What started as a modest fly-on-the-wall documentary about life at the Foundation’s HQ, quickly grew to cover a wide range of environmental and animal-welfare issues, world-wide - as well as make a star out of presenter Simon.
