Comedian Matt Forde would have 'sacrificed anything' to live as he opens up on cancer diagnosis

Matt Forde previously shared that he had been diagnosis with cancer at the base of his spine last year and he had surgery following the identification of the tumour

Matt Forde has shared that he "would have done anything" to live and just wanted an "extra second" with his wife after receiving his cancer diagnosis.

The comedian, 41, previously announced that he had been diagnosed with cancer last year. Matt shared that a tumour was found at the base of his spine after he suffered from what was thought to be sciatica. He had part of his spine removed and recovery included learning how to walk again.

He's now spoken further about the diagnosis, which came just three months after he got married to his wife Laura. Speaking to the Times, Matt said that his legs "probably would've buckled" had he not been sitting down when he got the news over a year ago.

Matt also shared in the new interview: "I would have done anything I could to live - literally sacrificed anything." He added: "The doctors could have carved off any part of me that they needed to, so that I could have an extra second on this planet with my wife, that was the main thing."

He's said to have undergone a 13-hour surgery after doctors found the chordoma and then spent ten weeks in hospital. He now has life-long changes to his bladder and bowel functions. He was discharged with a stoma and he has spoken on occasion about now having a colostomy bag.

The radio host previously posted about having a colostomy bag following an appearance on the BBC's Newscast podcast. Alongside a clip from the episode on X, formerly known as Twitter, he wrote in February: "The thought of having a colostomy bag didn't just worry me, it repulsed me. But I've got used to it very quickly and don't feel embarrassed about it at all. If you're about to have one, don't worry. It's completely different to how I imagined it."

In the clip from the podcast, Matt said: "I feel great. I've totally got used to having a colostomy bag, which even ... I remember someone on our street getting one when I was a kid, I was like, 'that sounds like the worst thing. That sounds like the most harrowing thing'. It's amazing how quickly you get used to it. And then, peeing, I had to self catheterise myself."

Matt said in an update issued in July, whilst on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch, that he wouldn't need chemotheraphy or radiotherapy because he had been treated surgically. He also shared that his six-month scan being "all clear" had been a "huge relief". More recently, he's been preparing for his the End of an Era tour, which opens on October 2 and runs until March next year.

The Macmillan Support Line offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. If you need to talk, call us on 0808 808 0000.

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