Rhod Gilbert admits he’s grateful to be alive after stage four head and neck cancer diagnosis

Rhod Gilbert admitted he was glad he was alive before taking the stage for the first time since his stage four head and neck cancer diagnosis last year.

The comedian, 54, shared a video on Instagram on Friday of him preparing for a performance at the Swansea Arena following his health concerns.

Writing a message on the venue’s wall of fame, he said, “It’s great to be doing stand-up again for the first time in a year. I’m feeling good.

‘Lovely to be here, great to be back in Swansea, great to be alive, great to be on tour again’.

In his caption, the star wrote, “Happy to be back on stage and finishing what I started #TheBookofJohn @arenaabertawe has been a joy.

Now on to @hall_for_cornwall. Thank you very much for waiting for me.’

Rhod’s Book Of John tour continues in Bath on Saturday and ends in Cardiff in October.

In February, Rhod admitted that his cancer diagnosis “repulsed him” and that he had trouble “talking or breathing” after finding a lump in his neck.

The funny man revealed that he had stage four cancer last year and was being treated at a center he had previously raised money for by going on charity tours.

While he did not initially specify where the illness was, Rhod has now revealed that he was diagnosed with head and neck cancer last year, but insisted he is on the road to recovery.

He returned to fencing for the first time since his diagnosis on Friday as he gave a moving speech at the National Comedy Awards, in support of Stand Up 2 Cancer.

The Welsh star spoke candidly about his diagnosis and reflected on the moment he found a lump in his neck that affected his ability to speak and breathe properly.

Speaking on the pre-recorded segment from his home, he said:I couldn’t speak or breathe and I put off and canceled tour shows, I had terrible spasms in my face and a lot of tension in my muscles.

“Couldn’t get to the bottom of it, after a biopsy of this lump in my neck it turns out I have something called head and neck cancer, cancer of the head, sounded pretty serious.”

Rhod further admitted that his stage four diagnosis “upset him,” as he joked that he thought he would have “lifelong immunity” after spending 10 years as a cancer center patron.

He said: ‘I’ve led five fundraising tours around the world, I do stand-up comedy nights to raise money, I’ve organized quizzes… it’s been a big part of my life for the last 10 years, so imagine my surprise when I was diagnosed with cancer.

“Which shocked me a lot, because I thought I would have lifelong immunity! Apparently not.

“Apparently you are equally likely to get cancer even if you spend your time fundraising for a cancer hospital. Anyway, I got it, and it turns out it can come to anyone.”

Rhod also revealed that “ironically” he first found the lump in his neck while in Cuba on a trekking to raise money for the Velindre Cancer Center, where he is now a patient.

He added: “The other irony is that I was trekking in Cuba to raise money for this cancer center when the first big lump popped up on my neck. I literally left as a patron and came back as a patient.”

Rhod explained that he then underwent surgery, daily radiotherapy and chemotherapy at the Cardiff Cancer Center of which he is a patron.

“I had to have chemotherapy sessions in a room with pictures of me on my way in, grinning at myself as a patron,” he said with a laugh.

However, Rhod said he felt “very happy and very positive” as he insisted he was on the road to recovery and hopes to lead a charity tour to Morocco soon.

He said, ‘My facial hair is coming back, my voice is back to normal, my weight is coming back, my salivary glands are starting to come back. In short, I’ll be back. My physical recovery goal is to lead the next fundraising tour to Morocco.”

While he admitted he is still “a little way” from his goal, he added, “I feel optimistic and strangely, I feel very happy and very positive.”

After seeing his touching speech at the awards ceremony, viewers were quick to take to Twitter to share their support for the beloved funny man.

One person wrote, “So good to see Rhod Gilbert recovering and feeling great. He’s a fantastic comedian and a lovely person and we’re so lucky to have him.’

Another said, “Rhod Gilbert, everyone you’ve helped get through tough times by making them laugh, we send prayers and love to you, wishing you a speedy recovery.”

A third commented, “Great to see Rhod Gilbert back on our TV screens. He was one of the first comedians I ever had and I hope he continues to joke and make us laugh for many years to come.”

While a fourth tweeted, “Great to see Rhod Gilbert at the #nationalcomedyawards and hear he’s on the road to recovery.”

And a fifth wrote, “It’s so good to see Rhod Gilbert sound and look good,” while another added, “All love Rhod Gilbert.”

His return to TV comes after Rhod had to postpone performances in January due to gallstones and recurring gallbladder infections.

He told fans in December: “I really can’t wait to get back on stage, but I will have to wait a little longer for a doctor’s advice.”

He continued, “Thank you all for your continued patience, rest assured the show WILL go on.”

His performances in Edinburgh will take place at the Gilded Balloon from 21 to 23 and 25 to 27 August.

Last month, Rhod said he will use his cancer diagnosis as stand-up material and is optimistic for the year ahead.

In his first interview since undergoing treatment, the Welshman revealed that he thinks about his cancer 24/7, but added that there is “humour in it”.

Speak against The protector, Rhod began, “It feels weird. I don’t know how much to talk about the cancer. I haven’t really worked out what to say.

“I’m really aware of mental health now and check with myself every day. I feel good, oddly enough. I am happy, optimistic and hopeful that everything will be fine next year.’

He explained that despite losing his social life and job, he is determined to poke fun at serious topics on his upcoming tour, The Book Of John.

He said, “If I get through this, the next show will be in the same vein.” The cancer is on my mind 24/7, but when I’m good enough to write, I jot down a few things. And there’s certainly humor in it.’