BBC Antiques Roadshow expert shares devastating update amid brain cancer battle: ‘Lost two people’
BBC Antiques Roadshow star Theo Burrell has shared some heartbreaking news with fans amidst her own brain cancer fight.
In December, the beloved auctioneer confirmed she would be undergoing more rounds of chemotherapy after her brain tumours had “regrown”.
Burrell joined Antiques Roadshow as an expert in 2018 and has appraised many beloved heirlooms across her career.
In 2022, she was diagnosed with a grade four brain tumour, or Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). She quickly underwent extensive surgery to remove the growth and undertook a long chemotherapy routine.
GBM’s are almost always fatal – with the average lifespan of sufferers being only 12-18 months and just five per cent living past five years.
“Results are in and regrowth has been confirmed. It’s been a tough few months and it’s not the news we wanted but at least answers have been given,” Burrell wrote in a December Instagram post.
She continued: “I’ll be starting back on chemo (Temozolomide) in the next couple of weeks. So it’s onwards and forwards (upwards is maybe a little too cheery for me right now!) I go.”
On Sunday, the auctioneer updated fans on her progress with chemotherapy while travelling in Perthshire, Scotland.
“Chemo round one is done, and next week I’ll have bloods taken for round two,” she began.
Burrell then explained it had been “a bit of a tough few weeks as our wonderful community has lost two more members to brain tumours”.
She added both were “great guys with loving families” as she commented: “To whom I send all my best wishes at such a difficult time.”
In happier news, she confirmed that she will be able to return to her charity work “over the next couple of weeks”.
The Antiques Roadshow star also added some “hopeful and promising news will be shared” in that time frame but did not elaborate further.
Her post was bookended with information about her trip to the picturesque Scottish region with her partner Alex.
“Despite a few obstacles along the way this week, Alex & I have made up to Perthshire for a couple of nights
“I’m enjoying a bit of down time, some Highland walks, and willing spring to make itself known!” she told fans.
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Alongside the post, Burrell shared a photo and she and Alex together against a stunning wilderness backdrop.
In October last year, the Antiques Roadshow star shared the initial news that her tumour had returned, and she was awaiting further results.
“Although this was always an inevitability it has been a difficult couple of weeks for me and my family, as we deal with the news and await a treatment plan,” she said in an Instagram post on October 2.
The specialist continued: “I am extremely grateful for having had such a good quality of life over the last two years, and I intend to take on the next step of my journey with everything I’ve got.
“If anything, this has just fuelled my fire to keep fighting for us all.” (sic)