Rhod Gilbert thrilled fans when he made a TV comeback following his cancer treatment during the National Comedy Awards on Friday, February 17.
The Welshman spoke about how "positive" and "happy" he was feeling during a VT shown during the awards show hosted by Tom Allen for Stand Up To Cancer and he even spoke about how he planned to lead a charity trek to Morocco.
"I'm a little way off that at the moment but I'm feeling optimistic and weirdly I'm feeling really happy and really positive and some would say that makes a change I'm sure," he joked. "I'm sure some would say 'That's a first time for everything'. I'm not exactly known for it. But there we are."
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Rhod shared how he had undergone surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy after being diagnosed with head and neck cancer. The Velindre Cancer Centre patron who has raised thousands for the Cardiff-based centre over the years through treks and comedy nights laughed about receiving treatment in a room where pictures of him stared down from the walls. He also joked that he thought all his fundraising efforts for cancer would have given him "lifelong immunity" against the disease.
He said his care was "faultless" and that his facial hair was coming back, his voice was back to normal and he was starting to put weight back on. "Basically, I'm coming back."
Viewers of the show, which was aired live on Channel 4, took to social media delighted by Rhod's appearance. One said: "Great to see #rhodgilbert sounding so positive. Wish him well." Another said: "Really powerful piece from Rhod Gilbert that; first hand experience always hits home more. Great to see him looking so well."
A third added: "Rhod Gilbert is one of my favourite comedians. I was gutted to hear he was ill when it was first announced, but so glad he's getting back to himself."
"Genuinely teary watching Rhod Gilbert talk about his cancer diagnosis and treatment. What an effing unfair illness," said a fourth. While a fifth simply added: "Rhod Gilbert is an absolute national treasure."
Rhod's TV appearance comes just days after it was announced the Carmarthen star is making a return to the stage as part of the Edinburgh Festival in August 2023 with a short run of "work in progress" shows where he will test out new material. You can read more on that here.
The 54-year-old announced in July 2022 that he was receiving treatment at Velindre Cancer 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.
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."
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