Jake Quickenden opens up on losing dad and brother to cancer on Sunday Brunch

Jake Quickenden speaks about losing his dad and brother to cancer

Jake Quickenden has opened up on the heartbreaking loss of family members who were taken by cancer. The singer and TV personality appeared on Sunday Brunch on Sunday morning (October 20) to talk about his career and upcoming role in Rita, Sue & Bob Too!

Presenters Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer later moved the conversation onto his work with Stand Up To Cancer and his 100 Squats a Day challenge.

It is a challenge close to the X Factor singer's heart after he lost his brother Oliver, aged just 19, to osteosarcoma in 2012 and his father Paul to bone cancer in 2010. 

Jake explained the 100 Squats a Day challenge aims to raise awareness about cancer and the squats can be done throughout the day. The TV personality shared how vital the challenge is and the loss of his father and brother affected him.

Jake Quickenden on Sunday Brunch (Image: Channel 4)

Jake said: "It's just about kind of raising the money for the funds - they have raised £130 million so far, and that's gone towards about 73 clinical trials, and it's about awareness.

"I like getting involved with stuff like this. I lost my dad, and then I lost my little brother to cancer. So I just think it's when that happened for me, I just wanted the world to stop, but it doesn't.

"It keeps turning and I think especially now, unfortunately, cancer is going to kind of affect everyone in one way or the other, whether or not it's their family, their friends, somebody you know, will be affected by cancer.

"I just think it's so important to keep raising funds, but also keep people aware that it happens and there's people out there really struggling and fighting these horrible diseases.

window.topArticlesScript="https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/js/dist/article-top-articles20241015.min.js"

Jake Quickenden with his brother Oliver who bravely fought cancer (Image: Channel 4/Family handout)

"I feel like my my childhood was kind of just watching people in my family get cancer. My mum had skin cancer first, and then my my dad passed away when I was 20, and then three years later, my little brother passed away.

"It affects everyone."

Jake is a celebrity ambassador for Sarcoma UK, a bone and soft tissue cancer charity and also works as a grief ambassador.

SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Jake showed presenters Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer how to do a proper squat and explained how people can do the challenge across the day, while making a drink or household chores. The production crew played trouser ripping sound effects for comedic effect. 

Jake Quickenden opens up on losing dad and brother to cancer on Sunday Brunch

Jake Quickenden opens up on losing dad and brother to cancer on Sunday Brunch

Jake Quickenden opens up on losing dad and brother to cancer on Sunday Brunch

Jake Quickenden opens up on losing dad and brother to cancer on Sunday Brunch

Jake Quickenden opens up on losing dad and brother to cancer on Sunday Brunch