Father Ted creator Graham Linehan revealed on Thursday he is cancer free a day after revealing he was diagnosed with testicular cancer
Father Ted creator Graham Linehan has shared his joy at being cancer free, a day after revealing he had recently been diagnosed with testicular cancer.
Mr Linehan told his Twitter fans on Wednesday that he had undergone surgery to have a testicle removed, and that he would soon have to undergo a course of chemotherapy.
But on Thursday, the Irish TV writer said: ‘Well, holy s***. I just saw my oncologist. Everything’s clear. No chemo!
‘Can’t believe it! NO CHEMO! Have been organising my life around the idea that the next three months were just *gone*!’
In a second tweet, the-50-year-old added: ‘Thanks to everyone who sent kind words. I’m annoyed now that I worried you all unnecessarily. AND I cancelled my Australian events. Dohhhhh.
‘Still though. CANCER FREE I BE!’
Mr Linehan originally told his 697,000 followers that he had ‘got a bit of bad news recently’, and that he had a ‘little touch of the old cancer’.
The Irish writer attempted to make light of the situation by adding: ‘Ball cancer is one of the best ones to have (sorry, ladies!) and they got rid of it all pretty quickly, along with a ball.
The Irish TV writer said: ‘Well, holy s***. I just saw my oncologist. Everything’s clear. No chemo!’
In a second tweet, the-50-year-old added: ‘Thanks to everyone who sent kind words. I’m annoyed now that I worried you all unnecessarily. AND I cancelled my Australian events. Dohhhhh’
Linehan originally told his 697,000 followers on Wednesday (pictured) that he had ‘got a bit of bad news recently’, and that he had a ‘little touch of the old cancer’
‘Bye, ball! I’ll never forget the good times!’
Linehan apologised to Australian fans who had bought tickets to an event he was due to host later this year, and said he hopes to return in 2019.
‘So that’s the story,’ he said.
He told fans that he hoped to continue being ‘the happy-go-lucky, beloved twitter personality you all know’, but warned there may be ‘moments of quiet’ as he deals with chemotherapy.
Social media users quickly offered their support and well-wishes for his recovery, prompting him to thank his fans for being ‘so nice’.
Linehan co-created popular 1990s sitcom Father Ted with Arthur Mathews, and it will now be revived in musical form, with the music penned by Neil Hannon, who is best known as the frontman of orchestral pop band The Divine Comedy.
Earlier this month it was revealed that Father Ted was making a comeback after 22 years as a stage musical, called Pope Ted.
Earlier this month it was revealed that Father Ted was making a comeback after 22 years as a stage musical, called Pope Ted
Mr Linehan made the surprise announcement that he was working with the show’s co-writer Arthur Mathews and musician Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy
Hannon, who composed the TV show’s theme tune, will compose the music for the musical.
Mr Linehan said on Twitter earlier this month: ‘Pope Ted – The Father Ted Musical, written by Arthur Mathews and myself, music by Neil Hannon, is almost written. I just thought you’d like to know,’ Linehan tweeted yesterday.
He described it as ‘the real final episode of Father Ted’.
He added to the BBC: ‘It’s like putting on an old pair of slippers.
‘I didn’t want to do anything like this until the right idea came along, and when Trump won and Corbyn won [the Labour leadership], I kind of thought: ”Maybe Ted has a chance.”’
Mr Linehan said the musical was about ‘the least qualified man in the world becoming Pope.
‘I thought it wouldn’t be too much of a stretch.
‘Obviously we’re pulling some shenanigans to get him into that position but I think the shenanigans are entertaining enough that people won’t mind.’
He gave no indication of casting, but there will be a problem with filling at least two roles as both Dermot Morgan and Frank Kelly, who played Father Ted and Father Jack, are dead.