Bill Turnbull, 63, is a former presenter on BBC Breakfast and now currently presents his own radio show on Classic FM. The broadcaster has spoken candidly about the current treatment he has received following his diagnosis of prostate cancer over 19 months ago which led to doctors informing the star to rest more. Speaking in this week’s Radio Times, Bill revealed the incurable disease which spread to his bones has resulted in him having to undergo gruelling treatments which included hormone therapy and nine rounds of chemotherapy. The radio personality also reveals he recently suffered a “tumour flare” in his knee which left him in pain.
I’ve given that up
Bill Turnbull
He told the publication: “It seeks out the bone tumours and tries to destroy them.
“It works to a limited degree. I had a bit of a tumour flare after the first one, a strong pain in my knee, and I thought it might be something to do with alcohol, so I’ve given that up, except for the odd glass of wine.”
Discussing his hormone therapy treatment, the former BBC Breakfast host said he has had three (of six) monthly doses of radiotherapy injection which is aimed at controlling the tumours in his legs, hips and pelvis.
Bill said: “Before I had the latest operation three days ago if you’d told me I had cancer, I wouldn’t have known because I feel fine, barely anything wrong. Which is a great place to be.”
The Classic FM DJ was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017 and has been open about his battle with the disease.
The Guildford-born presenter first revealed he had advanced prostate cancer on The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer last year.
Now, the father-of-three has chosen to share his story in his latest one-off film.
The small-screen star will soon be fronting his new Channel 4 documentary, Bill Turnbull: Staying Alive, in which he explores alternative therapies.
Speaking about the show, the BBC Breakfast anchor admitted it was an emotional process making the documentary.
He said: “It’s a bit of a blubberthon. I think, ‘Gosh, I wish I wasn’t crying quite so much, or so often!’
“But, the most satisfying thing is the reaction of the people who watched it; if they’re moved by it, then we’ve achieved our purpose.”
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK and symptoms are usually slow to develop, according to the NHS.
Speaking about his reservations on participating in the new project, Bill said you can’t “sanitise” the programme.
“If you’re going to make a documentary about yourself when you’ve got an incurable disease, you know you’re going to be exposing quite a lot of your private life,” he explained.
“And I suppose I did worry a little bit about how much we were going to put on show.”
He added: “But you have to be prepared to let people see what it’s all about – there’s no point in making the film otherwise. You can’t sanitise it.”
Bill Turnbull: Staying Alive airs on Channel 4 on the 24 October at 10pm.
You can read the full interview with Bill Trunbull in this week’s Radio Times out now.
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