Comedian Rhod Gilbert Celebrates First Clear Scan After Cancer Battle Ahead Of Upcoming Tour

Stand-up comedian Rhod Gilbert, 55, received the news that his battle with cancer had taken a positive turn. In July 2022 the comedian made headlines when he announced his diagnosis with metastatic head and neck cancer. Gilbert underwent treatment at the Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff where he had been a fundraising patron for the centre for over a decade before his diagnosis.

Gilbert's battle against cancer included surgery and multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, his resilience and positivity throughout this tough journey have paid off. He described the moment he got the call saying that the cancer had not spread was "the best day of my life." He was back on the road doing what he loves earlier this year when he received the life-changing call. "I got a call to say my latest scan had shown the cancer was in the areas they knew about, but it wasn't in my lungs or my brain," he shared with Radio Times.

Soon after the initial news, there was another reason to celebrate. "The best thing was that the tumour had gone, and it was once again an ordinary blood vessel.”

Rhod Gilbert: A Pain In The Neck

Gilbert has kept his journey of battling cancer private over the past few months, however, it will soon be shared with the public in a new Channel 4 documentary titled "Rhod Gilbert: A Pain In The Neck." In this intimate documentary, viewers will witness his journey from the very beginning, capturing the ups and downs of his fight against cancer.

The decision to document his journey came about just days before he was set to begin treatment. "I was lying in bed on the Friday, with my treatment due to start the following Monday," he recalled. Gilbert reached out to a TV team to document his experience, saying, "It was partly for me because I'd cancelled all my TV work and tours and wanted to have something other than 'cancer' in my diary. I knew I wouldn't be well enough to go on stage or TV, but I thought I might be well enough to lie in bed and talk to a documentary team about how ill I was. I thought, 'It will give me something to do.'"

Rhod Gilbert & the Giant Grapefruit

Rhod Gilbert is set to continue to draw from his cancer journey for his upcoming routines. In the official announcement of his new tour, Rhod Gilbert and the Giant Grapefruit, he wrote, "After the year I’ve had, it’s wonderful to be alive and going back on the road. I can’t wait to get back on stage and I’m ready to get way too personal about life’s recent ups and downs. When life gives you lemons, you have to squeeze them ’til the comedy juice flows, so prepare for some dark but funny s***."

His positive outlook on life is truly inspiring, as he expressed his gratitude to the Velindre Cancer Centre for helping him get back on his feet. "My new attitude is that life’s too short, you’ve got to crack on and do these things," he shared during an interview on BBC Radio Wales. He also acknowledged the role humour plays in dealing with his diagnosis, saying, "There is humour in it, definitely."

Rhod Gilbert's journey through cancer and his determination to share it with the world reminds us of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of humour in even the most challenging times. His story is not only one of personal triumph but also a testament to the importance of early detection and fundraising efforts for cancer research and treatment. Gilbert's upcoming documentary promises to be an emotional and uplifting watch for all those who have followed his journey.