After a fan spotted a lesion on his leg

Tim Key has revealed that he got treatment for cancer - thanks to an eagle-eyed fan who watched him perform in shorts.

A doctor in one of the comedian's tour shows in 2018 spotted a lesion on his leg, and got in touch with his agent to suggest  he get it seen to.

The Witchfinder star duly went to a specialist, who said it needed to be cut out that day,

Recalling the appointment on Adam Buxton's podcast, Key said: 'I said, "Can we do it on Monday because I need to go to Norwich?". I was rattled. Norwich was the last date of the tour. I thought, well I'll finish the tour, then and off it comes."

He got it removed under local anaesthetic, but at a follow-up appointment was told doctorswould need to do another surgical removal.

'They were looking to see if it was a melanoma,' Key recalled. 'They said I should go in with a pal so I went in with Alex Horne. I think it's because they were going to tell me I've got cancer. He's perfect for that because he has a good sense of humour."

'The specialist said it was malignant, and it's an interesting thing to hear. You are thinking, "I hope I'm not in danger and it's not a nice phone call to your parents". Anyway it was all fine, but then I did go to Edinburgh and I think I was slightly rattled.'

He then had to undergo a course of medication, including oral chemotherapy, for a year. 'That was the bit that fried my head the most,' he revealed.

And after that, he was given the all-clear.

'I felt very fortunate in the grand scheme of things because it's a broad church cancer and mine looked very survivable,' he said, adding he last had a check-up just before Christmas and was told he was 'good for a year'.

'The doctor calls me "boss".' Key added. 'It doesn't make it worth it if that's what you are asking, but it adds the shine on to it. I'd hate to find out she is doing it to other people.'

Published: 30 Apr 2022