Strictly Come Dancing star Alex Kingston has shared her emotional journey with uterine cancer, revealing that she ignored key symptoms for years before her diagnosis. The 62-year-old actress, known for roles in ER and Doctor Who, disclosed that her body was sending clear warning signs, but she initially brushed them off due to her positive outlook.
Ignoring the Warning Signs
In a candid interview with The Independent, conducted during her stint on Strictly Come Dancing in October 2025, Kingston explained that she assumed symptoms like bloating, weight gain, and slow-healing injuries were simply part of aging. She told Prima magazine, "I thought, 'This is what it's like to be in your 60s, and it's just part and parcel of getting older.'" However, the reality was far more serious, as she later discovered after experiencing a haemorrhage while performing on stage, which prompted her to seek medical attention.
A Shock Diagnosis and Treatment
Kingston described her uterine cancer diagnosis as a profound shock, stating she "never, ever went down the cancer road." Following the diagnosis, she underwent a hysterectomy and radiation therapy. She emphasized that uterine cancer often goes under-discussed, noting, "I hadn't realised that uterine cancer was a cancer that didn't get much airtime. I think it's probably because on the whole, it is a cancer where if you recognise something is wrong, your body is able to tell you. And if it's caught early enough, it is survivable."
Speaking Out for Awareness
Initially, Kingston kept her diagnosis private, feeling reluctant to discuss her health publicly. She reflected, "I'm quite a private person and I felt, 'Why should I talk about my cancer?' and also on Strictly, I thought, 'I don't want my journey to be about my sickness.'" However, she later realized the importance of sharing her story to encourage others. She urged people not to dismiss unusual bodily changes, saying, "If nothing else, it's important to encourage people that if their body is behaving in a slightly unusual way, don't just write it off as being old or suddenly becoming gluten intolerant. It could be something else and to go and have it checked."
Responding to Strictly Criticism
During her time on Strictly Come Dancing, Kingston faced criticism from judge Craig Revel Horwood, who commented that her Halloween salsa performance looked like a woman experiencing "a midlife crisis." Kingston revealed she was unaware of the remark at the time but later addressed it, calling it "a little mean-spirited." She added, "It's exactly the opposite of what I'm trying to advocate. If you want to dance and swing a devil's tail around and you're in your 90s, do it. I mean, this is your life. So live it!"
Embracing Life and Moving Forward
Kingston, who finished in eighth place on Strictly, emphasized her philosophy of living in the moment and rejecting age-related stereotypes. She said, "I've never spent time thinking about my age. I know I'm getting older, but I do try to just live in the moment. And I've never felt like I have to subscribe to the norms or the rules that have been set about how one should behave at a certain age." Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of health vigilance and positive living.
