Rhod Gilbert has revealed that he recently lost a friend to cancer, and found out the sad news during an interval at a gig in Halifax.
The comedian had been supporting his late friend through end of life care, just months after his own head and mouth cancer ordeal.
Speaking exclusively to Reach PLC, he said: “This week I’ve been to a funeral for my friend’s dad, who died of cancer.
“In the interval while on stage in Halifax, I [also] found out that a friend of mine had died of cancer.
“I found out when someone texted me during the interval of my show.
“I knew he had gone into end of life care, so it wasn’t a huge surprise, but it just happened in that moment where I just so happened to have come off stage during the interval, looked at my phone and read a text saying, ‘He’s gone’.”
Although saddened by the news, the 56-year-old managed to stay focused for his audience before telling them the sad news at the end.
“It’s just everywhere, which is why I think it’s important to talk about it and get it out there and try and find humour in it and try and normalise it, and that’s what I’ve been doing on stage,” he shared.
On how he managed to carry on after learning the news, Rhod added: “I just focused on what good I could do in that moment I suppose.”
The title of the comedian’s Rhod Gilbert and the Giant Grapefruit tour is a tribute to his own cancer ordeal, which began as an odd cough before he found a tumour.
Rhod was diagnosed with head and neck cancer in 2022 and received the all-clear in May 2023, following extensive treatment at Cardiff’s Velindre Cancer Centre.
Now in a better place and with 80 per cent of his taste back, he counts himself as one of the lucky ones.
“When you hear those words ‘you’ve got cancer’ and they’re giving you percentages about your survival, it’s like, oh my God, it’s a lot to take in,” he shared.
“I really am much more aware these days with how lucky I am and how much I want to get out there and live life.
“It’s a cliche, it’s corny, but every day is completely different now.”
He added of his progress: “My treatment was wonderful, and I was given the all clear in May 2023. I am currently all clear and now having ear, nose and throat camera checks every six months.”
Tickets and information for Rhod Gilbert and The Giant Grapefruit tour can be found here.