Comedian Matt Forde reveals he’s had a stoma bag fitted after life-changing surgery following devastating bone cancer diagnosis
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Comedian Matt Forde has revealed he has been fitted with a colostomy bag after undergoing life-changing surgery after being diagnosed with bone cancer.
Just three months after marrying his wife Laura, the 41-year-old artist and radio host was told by doctors in August 2023 that he had a tumor, a chordoma, at the base of his spine.
After a major 13-hour, ten-week operation at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, he was discharged with a colostomy and stoma.
In the months leading up to August, Matt performed at the Pleasance Courtyard, where he was ‘high as a gaga’ due to a suspected hernia.
When the comedian went to the doctor with severe back pain, he prescribed him codeine, diazepam and an MRI scan.
Comedian Matt Forde has revealed he has been given a stoma after undergoing life-changing surgery
The artist, 41, was diagnosed with bone cancer. A tumor called chordoma was discovered at the base of his spine after an MRI scan in August 2023
An MRI scan later revealed that the hernia was a malignant tumor called chordoma on his spine.
Speaking with The Times Speaking about his upcoming tour, The End Of An Era Tour, he said that when he heard the C-word at the doctor’s office, it was “like an elevator going fast from the bottom of his lungs to his belly button.”
He said, “It’s a good thing I was sitting down or my legs would probably have buckled.”
Matt immediately went into survival mode. “I would have done anything I could to live — literally sacrificed everything,” he said.
“The doctors could have cut off every piece of me if they had to, so I could have had one more second on this planet with my wife. That was the most important thing.”
During his stay in hospital, the comedian underwent intensive rehabilitation, being confined to bed and having to perform regularly for four hours.
To help him recover, his wife had a fun idea to keep him motivated during his recovery.
She posted two photos either side of the hospital room: one of Ben Stokes after scoring his century at Headingley and on the other side a photo of Stuart Pearce celebrating his penalty against Spain.
After a gruelling 13-hour, ten-week operation at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, he was discharged with a colostomy and stoma
“It didn’t matter which side I was on, I always had a patriotic person who overcame pain and struggle and cheered me on every four hours,” he revealed.
Before becoming a comedian, Matt worked for the Labour Party, which led to a visit from the current Prime Minister, Keir Starmer.
Matt does not have cancer, but his bladder and bowel functions have changed throughout his life.
He has to use a stoma and a colostomy bag and catheterize himself.
Matt’s The End Of An Era Tour starts on October 2 at Norwich Playhouse and ends on March 12, 2025 at Glasgow’s Glee Club.