TV chef Tim Bilton has revealed that his stage 4 melanoma is now dormant, sharing an emotional update 13 years after his initial diagnosis. The 54-year-old, known for BBC's Great British Menu and Channel 5's On The Farm, was given just 12 months to live in 2019 but has now been told his scans are clear.
13-Year Journey with Cancer
Bilton was first diagnosed with melanoma in March 2013 after his wife Adele noticed an unusual shadow in his eye. At the time, he was at the height of his career, preparing to open his second restaurant with hopes of earning a Michelin star. The cancer returned in 2015, robbing him of his sense of taste, and again in 2019 when doctors discovered stage four cancer in his left leg and kidney.
In an Instagram post, Bilton wrote: "It's been 13 years of what I can only describe as utter bloody rubbish. My body has definitely been to hell and back and to be honest I'm not the man I was before my diagnosis." He added that cancer has physically changed him: "I don't look the same, I don't talk the same, I can't eat the things I use to love, my taste buds aren't what they were, my jaw and knee are buggered."
Emotional Update: Cancer Now Dormant
Despite the challenges, Bilton shared that his cancer is now "dormant" after a phone call with his oncologist. He wrote: "So today we had an emotional phone call to say all my recent scans are clear and my stage 4 cancer is dormant. 13 years on and I have been signed off… it's over for now." He expressed gratitude: "Thank you to my amazing oncologist who has never given up on me even on the days when my body and mind had."
Bilton also thanked his wife Adele and their sons Henry and Charlie: "Thank you for keeping me going and making me proud every single day." He offered hope to others: "If you're reading this there is still hope… So hope really did carry us through."
Support from Fans and Co-Stars
Friends and followers flooded the post with congratulations. On the Farm co-star Helen Skelton wrote: "Wonderful news for a wonderful man." Others described it as "most phenomenal" and "fantastic" news. Another fan penned: "Great news Tim! Keep smashing everything like you already have been."
