BBC Antiques Roadshow star shares 'heartbreak' as she delivers brain cancer update: 'Keep fighting'

Theo Burrell

Antiques Roadshow star Theo Burrell shared an update on her cancer diagnosis

Instagram/BBC
Olivia Gantzer

By Olivia Gantzer


Published: 02/10/2024

- 10:57

Theo Burrell frequently shares candid health updates with fans after being diagnosed in 2022

Antiques Roadshow expert Theo Burrell has shared a heartbreaking update about her cancer diagnosis.

The 38-year-old mother-of-one was told in 2022 she had a glioblastoma after experiencing months of severe migraine attacks.


Doctors initially told the ceramics and glass expert that without treatment she'd only have three months to live after she sought help.

Despite the diagnosis of the most aggressive type of brain cancer and undergoing rounds of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, Burrell has continued to work and has thrown herself into raising money for Brain Tumour Research.

In a new update, she shared the sad news that the cancer has grown as she vowed to "take on the next step of my journey with everything I've got".

The BBC specialist said: "It's with some heartbreak that I can confirm my glioblastoma has started regrowing.

"Although this was always an inevitability it has been a difficult couple of weeks for me and my family, as we deal with the news and await a treatment plan.

"I am extremely grateful for having had such a good quality of life over the last two years, and I intend to take on the next step of my journey with everything I've got."

The Instagram post concluded with the presenter expressing her resilience as she added: "If anything this has just fueled my fire to keep fighting for us all.

"We, as a community, as patients, as carers, as family and friends of those who have or have had a brain tumour, quite frankly deserve a lot better!" (sic)

Theo Burrell

Theo Burrell has dedicated much of her time to fundraising to help others with brain cancer

Instagram

Burrell lives in Scotland with her partner Alex and three-year-old son, and earlier this year joined campaigners at Downing Street for a petition signed by more than 80,000 people which called for more investment into brain cancer.

Just weeks ago, Burrell shared a hopeful message as she gave another update, writing: "Had my latest scan on Wednesday, and I get results at the end of the month. It's back to having hope and crossing my fingers for what's to come."

She continued: "On the subject of hope, I've heard various stories recently where patients were told by medics that they had no hope of living with a brain tumour for any length of time.

"These assessments proved to be wrong, and the patients have continued to stay well, but the impact of the words has of course caused significant upset.

"It's very traumatic to be told there is no hope, and this colours how you continue to live your life.

"Whilst our medical teams must give us realistic overviews of our cancer, are predictions of the future which may be totally inaccurate helpful to receive?

"For me I couldn't have gone through the last two years without some hope."

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