BBC Antiques Roadshow expert delivers major scan update two years after brain cancer diagnosis

BBC Antiques Roadshow expert delivers major scan update two years after brain cancer diagnosis

WATCH HERE: Antiques Roadshow excited by item 'never seen' before on show

BBC
Alex Davies

By Alex Davies


Published: 22/05/2024

- 15:35

Updated: 20/06/2024

- 15:47

The antiques expert was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour when she was just 35

Theo Burrell, Antiques Roadshow's resident glass and ceramics expert, has provided a "quick update" on how her battle with incurable brain cancer is going.

Doctors initially told Burrell that she had a glioblastoma and that without treatment she'd only have three months to live after she sought help 24 months ago.


Burrell's symptoms first arose in the winter of 2021 but it wasn't until June that doctors discovered the tumour.

Two years on and after undergoing rounds of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, Burrell hasn't let the disease stop her from doing the job she loves or raising money for those similarly affected by the illness.

However, last week she admitted that "cancer fatigue" had taken hold which led to decreased energy levels and affected her "ability to do simple day-to-day things".

Burrell also admitted that frustrations were heightened this month as she eagerly awaited the results of new scans - something she now has an answer to.

BBC Antiques Roadshow's Theo Burrell

BBC Antiques Roadshow's Theo Burrell shared an update with her fans on Wednesday

INSTAGRAM/THEO BURRELL

And it sounds like a positive outcome for the antiques expert as she explained in a brief Instagram post on Wednesday.

"Quick update..." Burrell began in an Instagram story. "Stable scan results today [love heart emoji]. 7th June will mark two years since diagnosis."

Fans were unable to publicly show their support and congratulate the star as the update was posted to her stories but several flooded her with their messages of comfort after she opened up on the hardships her illness has presented earlier this week.

Alongside a picturesque snap of East Lothian in Scotland, Burrell candidly admitted last Thursday: "This week has been HARD.

BBC Antiques Roadshow's Theo Burrell

BBC Antiques Roadshow's Theo Burrell was diagnosed with brain cancer back in June 2022

BBC

"Whilst we're waiting for my scan results, Jonah [her son] got a pretty nasty case of chicken pox and our poor Jack Russell was rushed to the emergency vets late last night.

"Although everyone seems to be on the mend, trying to manage cancer fatigue alongside the ups and downs of life has been pretty difficult.

"My energy levels are very low, and I feel frustrated that brain cancer is affecting my ability to do simple day-to-day things.

"But I know many of you feel the same. It's back to one day at a time, plenty of rest and a wee walk with the dog, when we both feel up to it." (sic)

The scan results have come just days before Burrell tackles an adrenaline-raising fundraising event for the charity, Brain Tumour Research.

Burrell will be abseiling down the King's Tower in Aberdeen, faced with a sheer 131-feet drop, all in the name of charity.

You may like