Comic will be back on the radio four months after revealing spinal tumour

Matt Forde is back on his feet following cancer surgery – and will be returning to his radio show in two weeks’ time.

In October the political comedian revealed he had a spinal tumour, diagnosed after suffering from ‘awful sciatica’, and would be taking time off for the treatment.

He returned to social media today to say: ‘Some personal news...  I'm alive!’

The comic will also be return to his British Scandal and Political Party podcasts, though he says it will take some time for him to return to stand-up. He had been due to hit the road with his Inside No. 10 show from early next month.

Writing on X, the 41-year-old said:  'This will sound mad, but having cancer and having it removed, along with part of my spine, has been the most wonderful experience of my life.

‘I've met the most exceptional people who have given me the privilege of living longer.

‘I owe my life to the phenomenal staff at  @RNOHnhs [the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore, Middlesex]. It is an exceptional hospital. Not that it's the main point,  but the food there is FANTASTIC. 

‘Thanks also to the Rheumatology Day unit at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, who first discovered my tumour.

‘I cannot wait to be back on @absoluteradio on Saturday 3 February and I'll return to British Scandal and The Political Party soon after.

‘Stand-up will take me a bit longer to return to, mainly as I can't adequately stand up.

‘I'm adapting to the changes to my body, all of which are 100% worth it to be cancer free.

‘So, what does anyone who's survived cancer and life-changing surgery want to do the most.. Work!’

Forde used to work as a Labour party aide – though he gave up his membership when  Jeremy Corbyn was elected leader.

He made four seasons of Unspun with Matt Forde, a topical political show on Dave between 2016 and 2018 and wrote and performed on the recent Spitting Image revival, both on TV and on stage with Idiots Assemble. He provided the voices of Donald Trump, Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer, among others. And in 2020, he wrote the memoir Politically Homeless.

While Forde was getting his treatment, his British Scandal co-host Alice Levine has been presenting the podcast with guest hosts.

Published: 22 Jan 2024