An Olympic hopeful's emotional plea for a life-extending cancer drug moved Good Morning Britain hosts and viewers to tears during a live broadcast on Friday, December 5.
An Athlete's World Turned Upside Down
Scottish swimmer Archie Goodburn, aged just 22, received a devastating diagnosis of a rare and inoperable brain cancer while training for the Paris Olympics. The athlete described experiencing seizures and numbness, with a terrifying sensation of his "whole consciousness receding into the back of my head." Initially misdiagnosed with epilepsy, scans later revealed a low-grade glioma—a 10x4cm tumour, plus two additional growths, one positioned behind his eye, that surgeons cannot remove.
A Campaign for Hope and Access
On the ITV morning show, a visibly emotional Goodburn fought back tears as he championed a specific medication that has given him a "new lease on life." He expressed deep anxiety that access to this treatment is now under threat as it undergoes UK regulatory processes. "Things aren't looking too promising for it," he shared with hosts Charlotte Hawkins and Adil Ray.
He passionately argued for quicker diagnoses, better funding, and more research, highlighting stark statistics: "Brain cancer kills more men under 70 than prostate cancer, more women under 35 than breast cancer, and more children than leukaemia." He lamented that public awareness does not match this deadly reality.
A Hug of Support and a Nation's Response
The interview took a poignant turn as Archie revealed he has already lost friends his own age to similar tumours. Overcome with emotion while describing the "phenomenal" difference the drug made, he stated, "This allows me to live my life, fulfil my dreams and contribute to society." Co-host Adil Ray rose from his seat to comfort him, praising his strength and bravery.
Archie ended with a direct call to action, urging the public to support his petition for drug approval, firmly declaring the current situation "not good enough." Viewers immediately rallied on social media, praising the "amazing lad" and "fighter," with many pledging to sign the petition. One viewer commended Adil Ray, writing, "if ever a young man needed a hug it was him."
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1 and ITVX.
