Slade's Noddy Holder in great spirits for first TV appearance since cancer diagnosis announcement

26 October 2023, 13:14

Noddy Holder's cancer diagnosis was only recently revealed.

Noddy Holder's wife Suzan Price recently opened up about the Slade star's secret battle with oesophageal cancer, having been diagnosed five years ago.

The future was looking devastatingly bleak for Noddy who was only given six months to live, with Suzan calling the news "a total bombshell".

Doctors informed him that his only option to extend his life was to take part in a clinical trial for a new form of chemotherapy.

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The procedure - which took place at The Christie Hospital in Manchester - had never been tried on anyone over the age of sixty before, so the chance of success was unknown.

But five years on from his "shock" cancer diagnosis, Noddy has seemingly recovered to full strength after doing everything in his power to survive.

In his first television appearance since Suzan revealed the news in a heartfelt article for Great British Life, Noddy seemed in great spirits as he discussed his experience at facing the potential end of his life.

Appearing on Jeremy Vine on Channel 5, Noddy spoke to Alexis Conran as he sat beside his wife and regular show panellist Suzan.

"I went to the Christie hospital in Manchester, and I said 'Is it six months? Is that the end of the line?'," Noddy revealed in a heartbreaking admission.

His doctor informed him the only option he had was to try the intense new form of chemotherapy, and said his "positive outlook" could be key to his survival.

After initial indecision about whether or not to go ahead with it - as Noddy didn't want to be ill for his final six months of life - he chose to "give it a go".

"And thank goodness he did," Suzan added. "It's a targeted chemotherapy now, they are able to do that and every single person reacts differently."

"It was hard going, very hard going," the Slade icon said. "But five years later I’m still standing."

Suzan, who has been married to Noddy since 2004, admitted that when they found out about his diagnosis, she "fell apart" - and rightly so - whilst Noddy took it in his stride.

"I pulled myself together as quickly as possible," she continued. "I've been with him to every single appointment he's ever had."

"Anyone will know who's been through a cancer diagnosis, there are lots of moments in small windowless rooms of people shaking their heads going 'I'm really sorry, but there's nothing', and that's what we were told."

"So for him to be here now five years later is incredible. It's not where we thought we were going to be, but it's brilliant," she gushed.

Noddy explained why he kept the ordeal a secret from the public, saying: "I wanted to keep it quiet because while I was going through the treatment and getting fit again - your resistance is low, really low after the treatment."

"I didn't want to be getting calls from the media every five minutes, or people I haven't seen for 25 years."

"I didn't want the attention, I wanted to deal with it in my own way, he continued, only coming out now about his story as he wanted to raise awareness of oesophageal cancer which is more common in men.

Like with most forms of cancer, the earlier it is diagnosed, the more chance there is of a full recovery, and it looks like Noddy is fighting fit.