Welsh comedian Rhodri Paul Gilbert has confirmed receiving treatment for cancer at Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff. Life is so ironic! The 53-year-old from Carmarthen stated that he never imagined being a patient at the hospital where he has been a patron for a decade and for which he has fundraised.
Thanks, Staff Through A Facebook Post…
Rhod Gilbert, the comedian and television presenter, confirmed that he is being treated for cancer. Welsh comedian Rhod Gilbert shared a message on his Facebook page thanking the staff at the Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff. He said that before his diagnosis he never imagined he would become a patient there. In his Facebook post, he said:
“As a proud patron of Velindre Cancer Centre, I’ve trekked the world, hosted chaotic quizzes and star-studded comedy nights. I’ve met and made friends with so many inspirational staff, patients and their families. It has been a huge part of my life for the last 10 years.”
The comedian explained that as a patron of this cancer centre, he got the opportunity to move around the world, host quizzes and star-studded comedy nights for fundraising purposes. He’s been a part of the Velindre Cancer Centre for 10 years, however, he never knew that he’d become a patient one day at the same place.
He continued, “So while I never imagined that I would be a patient here, I know better than anyone that I am in the best possible hands. The NHS care I’m receiving is incredible. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone … but who knows, maybe I’ll come out the other end with a new stand-up show and a 40-minute rant about orange squash.”
Rhod, in a sweet gesture, stated that he never want this to happen to anyone. Without revealing more details about his treatment, he remained positive and stated that he’d come out victorious and do a 40-minute rant about orange squash.
The comedian, who had done about 200 shows, stated: “I am genuinely gutted that we didn’t get to do the last seven shows as planned, but, rest assured, we will do everything we can to finish what we started.” However, Gilbert hasn’t confirmed details about the type of cancer he is being treated for.
Velindre Cancer Centre Thanks Gilbert…
Velindre Cancer Centre said in a statement on its Facebook page: “For over 10 years, patron Rhod Gilbert has provided exceptional support for Velindre Cancer Charity and has always been an advocate for the passionate efforts of our Velindre Cancer Centre staff, donors and fundraisers. Rhod has become a special member of our Velindre family and we are sure you will join us in sending him your very best wishes during this time.”
Gilbert, however, stated that he was working to reschedule his comedy tour Book of John for early 2023. He said: “I’ll be disappearing for a while and won’t be commenting further, at least not for now, whilst I focus on my recovery.”
Gilbert, who married writer and comedian Sian Harries in 2013, thanked his close friends and family for their constant support. The Welsh stand-up comedian has been a regular guest on panel shows like ‘QI and Mock The Week’ and ‘Would I Lie to You’ as well as presented his own BBC Radio Wales show.
FYI, Rhod Gilbert has also played badminton with Anthony D. Jordan, former gold medalist, as his doubles partner, relating his story on an episode of the BBC panel show Would I Lie to You. Gilbert shares two children with his wife, Sian Harries and took part in a documentary series about the stigma of male infertility.
Rhod was nominated in 2005 for the Perrier Best Newcomer Award and in 2008 for the main comedy award, as the Edinburgh Comedy Awards were then branded. With over a career of 200 shows, he has performed stand-up on the Royal Variety Performance and hosted a weekly show on BBC Radio Wales. We wish him great health and hope to see him rocking the stage soon!
