Bill Turnbull reveals cancer diagnosis
He was diagnosed last year
TV presenter Bill Turnball has revealed he was diagnosed with prostate cancer late last year. The 62-year-old confirmed the news in a couple of tweets which read, 'I can confirm reports that I was diagnosed with prostate and bone cancer last November. I'm receiving excellent treatment including chemotherapy at @royalmarsdenNHS.'
He continued in a second tweet, 'I am in good spirits and hope to be around for some time yet. Please spare a thought though for the hundreds of people in the UK who will be told today that they have cancer. They are the ones who really need some love. Thank you.'
These tweets follow an interview with Radio Times magazine where Bill said he wanted to encourage more men to get tested for the cancer. After revealing his cancer has spread to his legs, hips, pelvis and ribs he said, "Maybe if I'd got it earlier and stopped it at the prostate, I'd be in a much better state."
He went on to explain how he had put his aches and pains down to old age, but he was "cross" that he hadn't had them checked out before.
He then recounted the moment he was told of his diagnosis saying, the "first few days were probably the worst days of my life.
"The GP said, 'It's clear you have prostate cancer and that it's spread to the bone'. And all of a sudden you're in this dark chasm."
Bill continued, "it saddens me that I'm not going to be around as much as I thought with my wife and family... I realised if things progress as they do on average, I can't plan beyond 12 years".
Bill is due to appear in the new series of The Great British Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer, but revealed he didn't know he had cancer until he had already started filming.
Following his earlier tweets, Bill posted a photo of himself with the hosts and judges from the programme, encouraging people to support the cause.
The charity series will be split up into five episodes, with different celebrities in each. Four celebs on each episode will show off their baking skills over three rounds, the signature, the technical and the showstopper challenge.
See the full celebrity line-up for The Great Stand Up to Cancer Bake Off below:
Alan Carr
Known for: Comedian and TV presenter with shows such as Alan Car: Chatty Man.
The hugely anticipated celebrity special will also feature usual Bake Off hosts Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig, with Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith returning as judges.
In addition to his work as a TV presenter Bill has also been a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, back in 2005, eventually finishing sixth out of twelve contestants.