Who is comedian Rhod Gilbert and how is his health now?
The comedian was diagnosed with cancer in 2022
AFTER shooting to fame in the noughties, Rhod Gilbert has become one of the UK's leading comedians.
However, behind closed doors the Welsh comic has battled stage four cancer.
Who is Rhod Gilbert?
Rhod Gilbert was born in Carmarthen, Wales, on October 18, 1968, and is a comedian and and TV presenter.
He studied languages at Exeter University and spent eighteen months travelling around Australia and Asia after graduating.
The best thing was that the tumour had gone, and it was once again an ordinary blood vessel.
Rhod Gilbert on getting the all clear from cancer
Initially, he worked as an admin assistant and a market researcher before getting into comedy.
Rhod didn't start performing stand-up until 2002 after "constant nagging" from his girlfriend.
Starting at the age of 34, within a year and a half he had already won a number of different talent competitions and was nominated for the Perrier Newcomer award for his first solo show in 2005 at the Edinburgh Fringe.
In 2006, he was placed in The Times' Top 50 comedians.
Rhod bases most of his stories on real-life events and his life in the fictional Welsh village of Llanbobl.
He even wrote a sitcom about Llanbobl which featured on BBC Radio 2.
What is Rhod Gilbert's illness?
In July 2022, the comedian revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer.
He did not disclose what type of cancer at the time, as he shared the news, but revealed he was getting treatment at a cancer centre in Wales.
He said: "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."
In a message posted on his official Facebook page he continued: "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 ten years."
Rhod has since revealed he was diagnosed with metastatic cancer of the head and neck.
How is Rhod Gilbert's health now?
Since his diagnosis for head and neck cancer, Rhod has undergone extensive treatment.
He was treated at the Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff.
As Rhod's cancer was caught early on, he was able to be treated with surgery, followed by sessions of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Speaking in late 2023, about getting his first all clear scan, he told : "The best thing was that the tumour had gone, and it was once again an ordinary blood vessel."
What TV shows has Rhod hosted?
The comedian is a TV regular, and is best known for comedy panel shows.
He has appeared on Mock The Week, 8 Out of 10 Cats and Have I Got News For You and has also presented Never Mind The Buzzcocks.
Rhod appeared on the 80th Royal Variety Performance in 2008.
The Welshman has also hosted his own shows, Ask Rhod Gilbert, Rhod Gilbert's Work Experience and Rhod Gilbert's Teen Tribes.
Work Experience saw the comedian try out different jobs across Wales, such as mining, news reporting and being a paranormal investigator.
Teen Tribes explored teen tribal worlds of "Emos", "Chavs" and "Goths", whereas Ask was a return to his comedic roots.
Between 2004 and 2005, Rhod was a continuity writer for Paramount Comedy and also provided end-of-credit voice overs on their prime-time shows.
He's also been a panellist on BBC One show Would I Lie To You.
Rhod starred in series seven of Dave's hit show Taskmaster alongside James Acaster, Jessica Knappett, Kerry Godliman and Phil Wang.
In 2020, he became the presenter of Comedy Central’s Rhod Gilbert’s Growing Pains.
In 2021, Rhod was a guest presenter for BBC's DIY SOS: Children in Need 2021.
Then in 2023, after a break from TV due to his health, Rhod returned to telly with a Channel 4 documentary about his cancer battle.
Is Rhod Gilbert married and does he have any children?
Rhod has been married to his wife Sian Harries since 2013.
Sian is an award-winning comedy writer whose credits include Man Down and Tourist Trap.
She also wrote and directed short film Neckface.
In June 2020, the couple launched a joint podcast The Froth.
They also co-own a production company Llanbobl Vision.
The couple have no children.
When will Rhod Gilbert appear on The Great Celebrity Bake Off 2024?
In 2024, it was revealed Rhod was part of the Celebrity Bake Off line-up.
Revealing the news on Instagram, the comedian said: "I haven’t baked anything in my life. Apart from a baked potato. Hopefully, that experience will stand me in good stead…
"For me, it’s quite a big thing to be here, because I am recovering from Head and Neck cancer, and it was a very challenging journey.
"Years ago, people didn’t survive what I had. The research that has gone into it is the reason I’m alive.
"So doing this show is obviously very emotional, and I feel very lucky to be here."
Rhod is joined on Bake Off by fellow celebrities including Danny Dyer and Dermot O'Leary.
Timeline of Rhod Gilbert's cancer journey
- July 2022: Rhod reveals he has been diagnosed with cancer, but does not disclose which type.
- December 2022: The TV star gives an update on his health saying that he is 'optomistic' about his future.
- January 2023: The comedian reveals he was rushed to hospital.
- February 2023: Rhod reveals he has been battling metastatic cancer of the head and neck.
- October 2023: The comic returns to TV for the first time since his diagnosis and reveals he has been given the all clear from cancer.