Rhod Gilbert is returning to television for the first time after undergoing treatment for head and neck cancer. The comedian, 56, was diagnosed in 2022 and received chemotherapy and radiotherapy before being given the all-clear in May 2023.
A New Show with a Special Guest
Gilbert will front a new UKTV series called Wagging Rights alongside his dog, Piscen. The six-episode show will see a panel of top dog show judges evaluate the pair's progress in various canine skills, including obedience, scent work, agility, freestyle, and ball sports.
Announcing the show, Gilbert said: 'What a poorly-trained dog and a chaotic human can achieve.' He added that the series would track their attempts to train their pets across a range of disciplines.
Fan Reactions
Fans on social media expressed excitement. One wrote: 'Yay can't wait.' Another commented: 'We 1000% need more shows with you and dogs too. This announcement brightened my day.' A third said: 'I'll be watching that then. You on telly is always a good thing, and now we get to meet Piscen as well. The word carnage springs to mind.'
Gilbert's Cancer Battle
Gilbert first discovered he had stage four cancer after a persistent cough, sore throat, and swallowing difficulties. A biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. He later said: 'If that lump hadn't have popped up, I don't know what would've happened, I would dread to think.'
He warned others to get checked if symptoms persist: 'The problem with coughs as well, you hear about this 100-day cough, but I think the general rule is if anything persists and doesn't go away, if it won't go away after a few weeks, then get it checked out.'
After being given the all-clear, Gilbert undergoes regular ENT camera checks every six months. Speaking a year later, he told BBC Radio Wales: 'Honestly, I'm wonderful. This sounds absurd because as any cancer patient will tell you, it's a new normal. Things are never quite the same again, but I sort of feel better than I've ever done in my life.'
According to the NHS, head and neck cancer is relatively uncommon, with around 12,400 new cases diagnosed in the UK each year.
