The golf game that almost killed Fred MacAulay
Comedian reveals 'freak accident' before his cancer diagnosis
Fred MacAulay has revealed a new brush with death – as he announces his first stand-up tour since his cancer diagnosis
The Scottish comedy veteran cancelled last year’s Edinburgh Fringe run and planned autumn tour after being told he had prostate cancer.
But now Chortle can reveal that he also underwent emergency surgery after a blow to the stomach left him with a serious injury in April.
The 'freak accident' – which came while he was on a Glasgow golf course – caused the artery which supplies blood to the lower bowel to started to bleed into the comic’s abdomen.
MacAulay, 68, told Chortle: ‘Fortunately one of my playing partners was a retired surgeon. He realised something was very wrong and called 999. I was rushed to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital where they operated, and after five days in High Dependency Unit and a few more days in general ward I got home to recuperate over the next couple of months.
‘I’m pleased to say I’m fully recovered, apart from a bit of possible PTSD - as it was life threatening and had it not been for the swift action of my friend, the paramedics and the brilliant surgery team the outcome would have been disastrous.’
The process he underwent was a trauma laparotomy with a bowel resection, which involves removing the damaged section of the intestine.
Just weeks after the accident, MacAulay revealed his cancer diagnosis, but said he was ‘determined not to let [it] get me down’, despite having to cancel gigs.
Now he has announced a hometown show in Perth in May followed by a 19-date Scottish tour in the autumn.
The new show is simply called called Good Evening and is likely to touch upon his misfortunes.
But it will also cover his appearances on various celebrity TV shows, topical subjects –drawing on his experiences as a regular on Radio 4’s News Quiz – and his grandchildren.
He said: ‘I can remember the joy of having our kids just after I'd embarked on my career in comedy – what a great source of material they were! I mean, that wasn't the main reason for having kids. But I hope the same applies to the grandkids.’
And he joked: ‘I really hope that a lot of people come out to see this tour. I think it’s the best show I’ve done since the last one.’
MacAulay revealed his cancer diagnosis in July. He said he had no symptoms but got checked out because of his family history. His father – also named Fred – died aged 73 in 2002 having had prostate cancer and mesothelioma, while his brother Duncan received a prostate cancer diagnosis eight years ago.
When he was diagnosed, MacAulay, who presented BBC Radio Scotland's morning show from 1997 to 2015, said: ‘I’m putting my trust in my doctors, and comforting myself in the knowledge that I’ve been diagnosed very early which means I should have the best chance for a good outcome.
‘I’m lucky enough to be able to get the incredibly accurate MRI tests which can show things up quickly. When it became clear I’m more at risk because of the prevalence of prostate cancer in my family, I’ve been getting tested every couple of years.’
And he urged more men to get tested, saying: ‘ It could save their lives.’
MacAulay was also involved in a horrific car crash in 2020, escaping with only bruised ribs when he wrote off his Range Rover on the A9 near Dunblane.
He has been a stand-up since the mid-1980s, quitting his career as an accountant and company secretary for his new career. He has appeared on all the major panel shows as well as Celebrity Mastermind, Celebrity Masterchef, Celebrity Chase and Celebrity Fame Academy for Comic Relief.
He has twice been asked to take part in ITV's I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, but turned it down.
Published: 18 Dec 2025
