Richard Corrigan, the 62-year-old BBC presenter and chef, has opened up about his kidney cancer treatment, admitting that chemotherapy "sucks you dry" while describing the toll it takes on his body.
The presenter of BBC Two's Great British Food Revival and multiple-time winner of BBC One's Great British Menu has been battling the condition since his diagnosis in 2024. Despite his illness, the chef, who has cooked for the late Queen and other royals, continues to work across his restaurant empire.
'Utter exhaustion and tiredness'
Corrigan confessed: "You have to take the bad days with the good days, and enjoy the good days, that's for sure. The bad days are - as with anyone's illness - utter exhaustion and tiredness. And the good days...you have plenty hours in you to go and enjoy yourself."
Explaining the effects of his treatment, he said: "Chemo doesn't affect your mind; it affects your body. Your battery always feels like it is just about to collapse...It's your energy battery, I'm talking your energy within your system..."
On the positive side, he described chemotherapy as "the finger in the dam, isn't it, really, the chemo? It stops the dam bursting."
Diagnosis and surgery
The award-winning chef, who earned two individual Michelin stars during his career - for Fulham Road in 1994 and Lindsay House in Soho in 1997 - was prompted to get checked after his wife of 35 years, Maria, noticed changes in his energy levels and sleep patterns. A private scan revealed a large tumour on one of his kidneys.
Just three weeks later, he underwent a complex seven-hour surgery at the Royal Free Hospital in London to remove the tumour. Since then, he has been receiving ongoing chemotherapy and specialist care at St Bartholomew's Hospital.
Corrigan also revealed that his diagnosis has led to significant lifestyle changes, particularly in his diet. He has given up alcohol completely and is making an effort to eat healthily.
Comments on Meghan Markle
In March 2025, Corrigan made headlines with his four-word verdict on Meghan Markle's now-axed Netflix show With Love, Meghan. He told the Daily Mail: "It's a bit pretentious."
He added: "I don't like the pretence. California is all very Hollywood; it's all very samey – Britain is not like that. I don't think anyone likes people doing cheap TV. If you're gonna leave [royal life], buy yourself a nice pad and entertain and enjoy yourself, but don't become a burden."
Speaking about the King, he said: "You can never be responsible for who your children marry, and you shouldn't be – they have to make their way in the world."
Corrigan had previously expressed disappointment with Meghan's behaviour, noting: "I cooked for the Queen free of charge, of course. And I'll cook for anyone, but let me just say, some people will have to pay. I'd let [Meghan] in the restaurant, for sure, but the Queen had the red carpet rolled out. Would Meghan? I don't think so."
