Alex Kingston Shares Overlooked Symptoms Before Cancer Diagnosis
Actress Alex Kingston, renowned for her roles in 'ER' and 'Doctor Who', has candidly discussed her uterine cancer diagnosis, admitting she initially dismissed crucial warning signs from her body. The 62-year-old star, who participated in 'Strictly Come Dancing' in October 2025, revealed in an interview with The Independent that she misinterpreted symptoms as normal aging effects.
Ignored Signs and Delayed Diagnosis
Kingston described experiencing persistent bloating, unexplained weight gain, and slow-healing injuries for years, attributing them to being in her sixties. 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.'" It wasn't until she began haemorrhaging on stage during a theatrical performance that she sought medical attention, leading to her diagnosis.
She underwent a hysterectomy and radiation therapy, reflecting that her body was "trying to tell me that something was very wrong", but as a naturally positive person, she overlooked these indicators. Kingston emphasized that uterine cancer often receives limited public awareness, yet it is survivable if detected early through bodily cues.
From Privacy to Advocacy
Initially, Kingston kept her diagnosis private, hesitant to discuss it publicly. She explained, "I'm quite a private person and I felt, 'Why should I talk about my cancer?'" However, during her time on 'Strictly Come Dancing', she realized the importance of sharing her story to encourage others. She stated, "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."
Response to Criticism on Strictly
Kingston also addressed a controversial comment made by judge Craig Revel Horwood during the Halloween episode of 'Strictly Come Dancing'. Horwood criticized her salsa performance to "Horny" by Hot 'n' Juicy and Mousse T, suggesting it resembled a woman experiencing a midlife crisis. Kingston, partnered with professional dancer Johannes Radebe, was unaware of the remark at the time but later deemed it "mean-spirited".
She countered, "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!" Kingston, who finished eighth in the competition, stressed her philosophy of living in the moment without conforming to age-related expectations.
The April 2026 issue of Prima magazine, featuring her full interview, is now available for purchase.
