Agony for Chancellor Jeremy Hunt as his brother Charlie dies of cancer aged just 53

JEREMY Hunt's brother has died of cancer aged 53.

The Chancellor spoke about Charlie Hunt's battle against sarcoma in a recent interview.

He revealed the disease had killed both his parents, and how his own skin cancer was caught and treated early.

He told the Daily Mail in July: "I had superb treatment from the NHS to remove it, but I am very aware of members of my own family who have had much tougher battles against cancer, and I know that’s what families are going through up and down the country."

Today it was revealed that Charlie passed away last week aged 53.

On his JustGiving page, Charlie told of his journey since being diagnosed with sarcoma in 2020.

Charlie recalled when he had surgery on his right leg - and didn't know if he'd ever be able to walk again.

He explained: "Since then the battle has continued with surgery on both of my lungs.

"I have been in and out of hospital pretty constantly but have received excellent treatment from the NHS and am still fighting on nearly three years later.

"It does, however, remain a huge battle for me and my family.

"I asked Jeremy to run the marathon for the first time with me – an offer that was nervously accepted."

In October the pair ran the London Marathon and raised nearly £50,000 for Sarcoma UK and The Royal Surrey Cancer & Surgical Innovation Centre.

Last year the Chancellor also took part in a five-kilometre charity race - wearing pink to represent Cancer Research UK.

At the time Mr Hunt said: “I have had a minor one myself which has fortunately been resolved.

“So it’s touched my family very dramatically.

“There are lot of things we can do to improve our cancer survival rates.

“The more we do to raise money and awareness, the more lives we’ll save.”

Sarcomas are a cancer that develop in any part of the body.

They are an uncommon disease and can strike inside or outside, including your muscles, bones, tendons, blood vessels and fatty tissues.

In the UK around 15 people are diagnosed with the illness each day - equating to 5,300 people each year.