Inside Celebrity Bake Off star Rhod Gilbert's 'brutal' cancer battle ahead of TV return

This weekend Channel 4 viewers will see comedian Rhod Gilbert take to the Great British Bake Off tent in aid of Stand Up 2 Cancer. The 55-year-old will be competing alongside the likes of Danny Dyer, Yinka Bokinni and Leigh Francis.

The show helps to raise money for cancer research, as the comedian confessed entering the iconic tent was very emotional due to his circumstances. At the moment, Rhod is currently recovering from head and neck cancer.

He was initially diagnosed with the disease back in the spring of 2022 after discovering a lump. However, last autumn Rhod revealed he was given his first clear scan after undergoing treatment.

Speaking to Radio Times ahead of his Bake Off debut, he commented: “I’m evidence of how important it is to continue to raise money and support SU2C. The research that goes into cancer is improving treatments all the time.”

As Rhod prepares to enter the Bake Off tent, Express has taken a look into the comedian's cancer battle, from his early diagnosis to gruelling treatment.

When did Rhod get diagnosed with cancer?

Rhod first discovered a lump on his neck while helping a small cancer centre in Cardiff called Velindre in 2022.

The comedian has been an ambassador for the treatment centre for over a decade and was on a fundraising trek across Cuba when he first realised he had a lump.

In the past, Rhod has touched on the moment he found the lump as he stated he left before the trek as a patron for the centre and came back as a patient.

Taking to social media at the time, he said: “Imagine my surprise when I was diagnosed with cancer, which p***** me off no end, because I thought I'd have lifelong immunity, apparently not.

“Apparently you're just as likely to get cancer, even if you spend your time fundraising for a cancer hospital."

What were his symptoms?

Before receiving his official diagnosis, which was obtained after having a biopsy, Rhod told his followers on social media he had been struggling beforehand.

In a three-minute-long video, the comedian shared that he had been experiencing pain in his neck along with having a sore throat.

Rhod shared that this resulted in him being unable to speak or breathe, which impacted his work.

He said: “I was postponing and cancelling tour shows. I had terrible spasms in my face and a lot of tightness in the muscles, couldn't get to the bottom of it."

What treatment did he receive?

Following his diagnosis, Rhod had to undergo surgery and have daily sessions of both radiotherapy and chemotherapy which he has described in the past as "brutal".

Rhod’s doctor, Professor Mererid Evans, spoke about his treatment to BBC Wales as she detailed how difficult treatment for his specific type of cancer is.

She explained the radiotherapy used to try and treat the tumours causes big ulcers in the patient's mouth and throat, which worsen over six weeks.

Professor Evans commented: “The side effects are a dry mouth, lack of taste, ulcers that make swallowing very painful and difficult and sometimes requires feeding through a tube in the tummy as we saw [happen to him] in the documentary."

The treatment also results in fatigue, which takes months to get over, along with nausea, vomiting and infections if a patient also goes through chemotherapy.

She explained: "Radiotherapy to the head and neck does cause some swelling and inflammation within the voice box. It's not uncommon that people develop a hoarse voice during treatment, and that doesn't always improve.”

Rhod expressed his fear of the treatment impacting his voice as he confessed that radiotherapy could save his life but end his career.

In October 2023, Rhod was given his first clear scan after undergoing the treatment.

He documented his entire journey battling cancer in Channel 4’s documentary Rhod Gilbert: A Pain In The Neck.

The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer airs Sunday, March 24 on Channel 4 from 7:40pm.