Romesh Ranganathan's reputation ruined!

'He's a big softie in real life' says teenage cancer patient

comedy His comedy persona might be that of a perpetual grouch, but Romesh Ranganathan showed a softer side when he met young cancer patients recently.

The comic visited those getting treatment at University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff including 17-year-old Issy Dockings, who has a rare type of bone cancer called metastatic ewing sarcoma

She said: ‘I was a bit nervous to meet Romesh at first but he is a big softie in real life. We spoke about all sorts. We were all laughing a lot and he’s just really down to earth and friendly.’

Issy also introduced Romesh to her latest Jellycat soft toy: Clyde Capybara.

Romes with the youngsters - and the jellycat

And Gregor Van Logan, 26, who has chronic myeloid leukaemia, said: ‘I went to see Romesh’s show and I really like his comedy style. In real life he’s nice and bubbly, he has a soothing presence and he was very modest when speaking to us all.’

The youngsters are being supported by Teenage Cancer Trust. Ranganathan is a long-standing supporter of the charity, and when he played Cardiff as part of his Hustle tour he donated tickets to staff and patients so they could have an evening away from the hospital.

Anna Davies, a Teenage Cancer Trust youth support coordinator, said the visit was a highlight for the young people on the unit.

She said: ‘Romesh is one of our favourite visitors that we’ve had to the unit. He made everyone feel relaxed, he was great with the young people and everyone had a really good time. We are grateful for all of the work that Romesh is doing to help fundraise and raise awareness of Teenage Cancer Trust.’

Last year Ranganathan was announced as Teenage Cancer Trust’s first comedy ‘icon’, volunteering to help the charity for a year.

The comedian said it was ‘a pleasure’ to visit the Cardiff centre, saying: ‘One of the things I’ve noticed on the units is how good the staff are with young people and their parents, who are going through a particularly difficult and challenging time.Seeing how the staff go above and beyond for them is pretty amazing.’

Romesh in the Teenage Cancer Trust unit