Rhod Gilbert left with long-term condition after devastating cancer battle

Rhod Gilbert issued a health update amid his UK and Ireland tour, after recovering from stage four head and neck cancer, and says he has tried to cut out one thing from diet

Rhod Gilbert has revealed he is still facing some problems with his health following his cancer ordeal, but counts himself as one of the lucky ones.

The comedian was diagnosed with stage four head and neck cancer back in 2022, after suffering from symptoms such as; a sore throat, a persistent cough, struggles with swallowing, and choking.

Following radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment at Cardiff's Velindre Cancer Centre, the 56-year-old received the all-clear last year and now has regular ENT camera checks every six months.

Sharing an exclusive update about his health post-cancer, Rhod said while he's in a much better place, he still has problems in his neck, throat and mouth area, as well as issues with his taste.

"I've tried to cut down on booze, I gave up smoking, but years ago I gave up smoking anyway," he shared of his lifestyle post-cancer. "I guess I'm a bit more conscious now than what I was, but equally, cancer leaves you in this weird place where you want to grab life by the short and curlies."

The comedian went on to say he particularly feels "very lucky" to have regained most of his taste back, but admits some things still taste "weird".

With added difficulties swallowing at the time, he was also fed through a machine for eight months. "With head and neck cancer, quite often, everything tastes disgusting with head and neck, even water, even a cup of tea, everything is disgusting," he explained.

"Not now, but I'm still left with some problems, so tea still tastes a bit odd, lots of things taste weird still. My taste is almost, sort of 80 per cent back to normal, my swallowing is pretty good, but at the time, you can't swallow and everything tastes disgusting.

"Food is horrible, I mean you're being fed by a machine straight into your stomach, with head and neck cancer quite often, because you can't swallow as it's too painful."

According to Macmillan, losing your taste can be a side effect to radiotherapy. The website states: "You may lose your sense of taste or find everything tastes the same. The taste is usually quite metallic or salty. Your sense of taste should recover, but it may take many months for this to happen."

Despite some problems still present, Rhod said he is surprised by how good he feels while back on stage for his Rhod Gilbert and The Giant Grapefruit tour.

He continued: "I feel great, my energy levels are good and I'm just really happy to be up there. I can't believe really quite how well I feel, I've got problems in my neck, throat area and my mouth area, but other than that, I feel great."

Rhod is currently playing over 130 dates at venues across the UK and Ireland, running until November 2025. Tickets and tour dates can be found here.