Rhod Gilbert shares emotional health update after battling stage four cancer

Rhod Gilbert was diagnosed with cancer in 2022 (Image: CHANNEL4)

Welsh comedian Rhod Gilbert has candidly discussed the ongoing health challenges he faces following his battle with stage four head and neck cancer.

Diagnosed in 2022 after symptoms like a sore throat, persistent cough, swallowing difficulties, and choking episodes, Gilbert underwent treatment at Cardiff's Velindre Cancer Centre.

Declared cancer-free last year, the 56 year old now has regular ENT camera checks every six months.

In an exclusive chat with Reach PLC, Rhod opened up about the lasting effects of his illness on his neck, throat, and mouth. He's made lifestyle changes post-cancer, saying: "I've tried to cut down on booze, I gave up smoking, but years ago I gave up smoking anyway."

The comedian feels more "conscious" about his health these days and considers himself fortunate to have survived such a serious health scare.

He expressed surprise at regaining most of his sense of taste, which had been severely affected by the cancer treatments. Rhod recounted: "With head and neck cancer, quite often, everything tastes disgusting with head and neck, even water, even a cup of tea, everything is disgusting", reports Surrey Live.

Rhod has candidly opened up about his health struggles (Image: FACEBOOK/RHODGILBERT)

Despite improvements, he still faces some issues, admitting: "I'm still left with some problems, so tea still tastes a bit odd, lots of things taste weird still."

British comedian Rhod Gilbert has opened up about the harrowing effects of his cancer treatment, revealing that while his sense of taste is returning, swallowing remains a challenge. "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."

He described the ordeal of being fed through a machine as "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."

A common necessity for those battling head and neck cancer due to the excruciating pain associated with swallowing.

Echoing Rhod's sentiments, health charity Macmillan acknowledges on their website that losing one's sense of taste can occur following radiotherapy: "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 these hurdles, Rhod has expressed sheer amazement at his well-being since returning to the stage for his tour, Rhod Gilbert and The Giant Grapefruit.

Energised and joyous, he remarked, "I feel great, my energy levels are good and I'm just really happy to be up there. I'm amazed at how well I feel, considering I've got problems in my neck, throat area and my mouth area," showing an inspiring level of resilience amidst ongoing recovery challenges.