Comedian Mark Steel reveals he has been diagnosed with throat cancer and is taking a six month break from performing to get treatment

Mark Steel has revealed he has been diagnosed with throat cancer after he discovered a lump in his neck while shaving.

The comedian, 63, announced the devastating diagnosis on his blog on Monday, but assured that it is a cancer ‘that can be got rid of’.

He said he had noticed his neck ‘looking much bigger than normal’ while shaving in June, but after googling the symptoms assumed it was an infection. 

However, his neck got bigger prompting him to see a doctor who booked him a scan at the hospital.

Mark recalled that during his appointment was when ‘everything changed’ after the radiologist said he would need a biopsy.

Sad news: Mark Steel has revealed he has been diagnosed with throat cancer after he discovered a lump in his neck while shaving (pictured at Hammersmith Apollo in 2014)

Staying positive: The comedian, 63, announced the devastating diagnosis on his blog on Monday, but assured that it is a cancer ‘that can be got rid of’ (pictured at Hammersmith Apollo in 2014)

He wrote: ‘“Biopsy?” I thought, “But that’s how cancer starts. It always starts with a biopsy,’ before adding, ‘a biopsy makes everything seem grotesquely, cancerously real.’

A doctor then gave him the prognosis over the phone that his ‘chances’ were ‘not good’.

Mark then explained that he was emailed and told his biopsy was lost, and would have to come in for another ‘to see what stage of cancer you have’.

He wrote: ‘”Hang on,” I said, “No one has said it’s definitely cancer, are you saying it’s definitely cancer?” She paused. “Yes. Had no one told you?”‘

The comedy writer expressed that he did not blame the NHS, but said: ‘Most of the staff are paid appallingly and treated with contempt. Their minister quit and went on I’m a Celebrity, so don’t take out your frustrations on them. Even so, it’s reasonable to ask politely how they could have lost the biopsy and forgotten to tell me I had f***ing cancer’.

In his typical comedic way, he wrote about the awkwardness of having to tell his son, daughter, agent, friends and partner.

He said: ‘I was in the exciting early slightly hesitant stages of a new relationship that seemed extremely promising. So one evening I had to say “By the way I might have cancer”.’

Mark finally was diagnosed with cancer in two places, but explained the ‘primary cancer’ in his throat is ‘very treatable’.

Warning signs: He said he had noticed his neck ‘looking much bigger than normal’ while shaving in June, but after googling the symptoms assumed it was an infection (pictured in 2010)

Diagnosis: Mark recalled that during his appointment was when ‘everything changed’ after the radiologist said he would need a biopsy (pictured in 2015)

He recounted sitting in the waiting room with his son Elliot, 26, who is also a stand-up comedian, where he told him: ‘I just want one win. I feel like a football team that’s nine games into the season and I’ve not had one win. Every meeting, every scan, it always gets a bit worse.’

He then revealed that when his doctor told him the cancer had not spread to his lungs, Elliot yelled out: ‘There’s your first win of the season!’

Mark added: ‘Most cancers now are seen as curable. Even the ones that aren’t curable are treatable, and patients live for many years. My generation were brought up thinking cancer was as final as being beheaded, but that’s no longer true. If it’s cancer, there will be a plan to deal with the cancer.’

He went on to say praise the NHS, from scientists, to doctors, to cleaners, to campaigners, for helping ensure that he could survive a disease that would’ve once been fatal.

Mark said his treatment would be beginning soon and that it is estimated he will be able to return to performing in six months.

Staying bravely upbeat, he concluded: ‘I have cancer, but it’s a cancer that can be got rid of. I feel like there’s a leopard in my house, that’s locked in a room. 

‘I’ve contacted the leopard authorities and they assure me they are used to dealing with leopards like this, and they have a plan for removing the leopard, though it will take a while, and once in a while I can hear it growl. And that’s all very reassuring.

Keeping upbeat: Mark finally was diagnosed with cancer in two places, but explained the ‘primary cancer’ in his throat is ‘very treatable’ (pictured in 2018)

Grateful: He went on to say praise the NHS, from scientists, to doctors, to cleaners, to campaigners, for helping ensure that he could survive a disease that would’ve once been fatal (pictured 2011)

Treatment plan: Mark said his treatment would be beginning soon and that it is estimated he will be able to return to performing in six months (pictured on The Chase in 2022)

‘Even so, several times a day I think to myself “hang on, there’s a f***ing leopard in my house”.’

As well as performing stand-up, Mark has written several radio and television shows, as well as a number of books.

He has also appeared frequently on Have I Got News For You, Room 101, Mock the Week, The Graham Norton Show, and Question Time.

He was due to perform at Norwich on Tuesday as part of his tour that was meant to continue until Peterborough in April 2024, but all of his shows have now been postponed.

Talented: As well as performing stand-up, Mark has written several radio and television shows, as well as a number of books. He has also appeared frequently on Have I Got News For You, Room 101, Mock the Week, The Graham Norton Show, and Question Time (pictured in 2018)

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