Rhod Gilbert shares long-term cancer side effects following brutal health battle: ‘Everything tastes disgusting’
Comedian Rhod Gilbert has revealed he continues to face health challenges following his battle with stage four head and neck cancer, despite receiving the all-clear last year.
The 56-year-old Welsh performer, who was diagnosed in 2022, now undergoes regular ENT camera checks every six months at Cardiff’s Velindre Cancer Centre.
While cancer-free, Gilbert has disclosed he still experiences ongoing issues affecting his neck, throat and mouth area.
Speaking about his ongoing challenges, Gilbert detailed his difficulties with taste and swallowing.
“With head and neck cancer, quite often, everything tastes disgusting with head and neck, even water, even a cup of tea, everything is disgusting,” he explained.
The comedian revealed his taste is now “80 percent back to normal,” though certain items remain problematic.
“Tea still tastes a bit odd, lots of things taste weird still,” he told The Mirror, adding that he previously required a machine to help him eat for eight months due to swallowing difficulties.
Following his cancer battle, Gilbert has made conscious lifestyle adjustments.
“I’ve tried to cut down on booze, I gave up smoking, but years ago I gave up smoking anyway,” he shared.
The experience has given him a renewed perspective on life.
“I guess I’m a bit more conscious now than what I was, but equally, cancer leaves you in this place where you want to grab life by the short and curlies,” he reflected.
Despite these ongoing challenges, Gilbert has expressed surprise at his energy levels during his current Rhod Gilbert & The Giant Grapefruit tour.
“I feel great, my energy levels are good and I’m just really happy to be up there,” he shared.
The comedian added: “I can’t believe really quite how well I feel, I’ve got problems in my neck, throat area and my mouth area, but other than that, I feel great.”
His tour is set to continue throughout the UK and Ireland into 2024 and 2025.
Outside of his own health journey, Gilbert has also endured the recent loss of two people close to him to cancer in recent months.
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The comedian revealed to The Mirror that he had attended the funeral of a close friend of his fathers in the last few weeks.
Even more personally, Gilbert recalled: “While on stage in Halifax, I (also) found out that a friend of mine had died of cancer.”
“I just so happened to have come off stage during the interval, looked at my phone and read a text saying, ‘He’s gone,’” the 56-year-old said sombrely.