Big Brother and Virgin Radio presenter Jamie East has opened up about his 'brutal' treatment for leukaemia, expressing hope that future patients will have better choices than he did.
Diagnosis and Treatment Journey
The 52-year-old broadcaster, known for presenting Big Brother's Bit on the Side alongside Emma Willis and Alice Levine, was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) in June 2025. He noticed swollen glands in his neck despite being in peak physical condition, having recently run a 10k and regularly attending the gym.
Following blood tests and a bone marrow biopsy, East was given a choice between two medications: imatinib and dasatinib. "My first reaction was to ask my consultant if I could still go to Glastonbury in a few days, I think I was in shock!" he recalled. "But I was given a choice between imatinib and dasatinib. My consultant explained both would work, but dasatinib would be quicker and harsher. I felt incredibly vulnerable at that point, so I chose the gentler option."
Initially effective, his treatment had to be changed when blood results fell out of range. "I was switched to dasatinib. The side effects were brutal at first, constant headaches and a rash, but they settled after a few days," he said. "It's good that patients have a choice, but if I'd been told from the start which treatment was best for my specific leukaemia, that's what I would have done."
Groundbreaking Research
Jamie recently visited a lab where Leukaemia UK-funded research is uncovering why CML patients respond differently to treatment. Professor David Vetrie at the University of Glasgow has identified two distinct types of leukaemic stem cells responsible for the disease, which follow different development pathways. This discovery could explain varied treatment responses.
Professor Vetrie's team received the 2025 Leukaemia UK project grant of up to £250,000 to develop targeted therapies that eliminate these stem cells. Long-term, this research could transform CML management, ensuring patients receive optimal therapies from diagnosis.
"Meeting the scientists and seeing the work that's going on really brought it home," Jamie said. "It's great to see the work being done to improve CML survival as well as finding kinder, better treatments for patients. It's long-term, but it's what keeps people like me alive." He added: "If this research can tell patients which path they're on from day one, that would be incredibly reassuring."
Support and Future Hopes
Simon Ridley, Director of Research and Advocacy at Leukaemia UK, said: "We are delighted to continue supporting Professor Vetrie's pioneering research into CML, which aims to take targeted treatment to the next level of precision. We are grateful to every single supporter of Leukaemia UK who help us to fund research, in order to accelerate progress and improve the lives of people affected by leukaemia."
Professor Vetrie added: "My research group and I are very grateful to be the recipient of the 2025 Leukaemia UK Project Grant. We are working with exceptionally talented scientists, and the project has great potential to help patients. Our research is now aimed at developing drugs that specifically target the leukaemic cells in different patient groups, so we can improve the outcomes of as many people with CML as possible."
