Comic taking time off for treatment

Matt Forde has told fans he’s been diagnosed with a spinal tumour.

The stand-up broke the news on social media, posting:  ‘Some personal news. I've had awful sciatica lately. It's caused by a spine tumour. I need surgery so I'll be off for a bit.

‘I'll record some shows to cover the gap (subscribe wherever you get your podcasts). I'll be fine. In the words of Steve Cooper, I'll trust the process.’

Cooper is the manage of Forde's beloved Nottingham Forest.

He will be taking a break from presenting Absolute Radio's Rock 'N' Roll Football show and has cancelled a short Soho Theatre run of his stand-up show Inside No 10 and upcoming recordings of his   Political Party podcast.

The next was due to take place on October 30 at the Duchess Theatre in London with Labour grandee Harriet Harman. Currently the West End venue is taking booking for recordings from the start of December.

Forde also wrote and performed on the recent Spitting Image revival, both on TV and on stage with Idiots Assemble.

Speaking on Absolute Radio at the weekend, Forde likened his treatment to ‘a footballer going through an injury’.

He added: ‘But I wanted to let you know because I'm not going to be here for a few weeks. I don't want people to think I'm just being lazy.

‘We’re going to get the health problem done - to borrow or misquote a phrase.’

The NHS tells patients with spinal tumours: 'You may need to have surgery to remove the tumour, or as much of the tumour as possible. You may also have radiotherapy or chemotherapy after surgery or as the main treatment depending on the type of tumour. Your doctor may also give you steroids to help control any symptoms.'

His news comes on the same day that Mark ​Steel revealed he had throat cancer.

Forde is due to go on the road with Inside No10 from February. Matt ​Forde tour dates.

Published: 9 Oct 2023