TV chef Tim Bilton has announced that his stage 4 cancer is now dormant, seven years after he was given a terminal diagnosis with only 12 months to live. Bilton, 54, known for his appearances on "Great British Menu" and Channel 5's "On The Farm," shared the news on Instagram, describing himself as "grateful, scared and emotional."
In his post, Bilton detailed his 13-year battle with the disease. He was first diagnosed with melanoma, a type of skin cancer, in his eye in March 2013. At the time, he was at the peak of his career, planning to open a second restaurant. The cancer returned in 2015, and treatment affected his sense of taste. After nearly three years cancer-free, he discovered in 2019 that stage four cancer had spread to his left leg and kidney.
Bilton recounted an emotional phone call with his oncologist, who informed him that recent scans were clear. "13 years on and I have been signed off….its over for now," he wrote, thanking his wife Adele and his sons, Henry and Charlie, for their support. He added, "If you’re reading this there is still hope."
Helen Skelton, host of "On The Farm," offered her congratulations, calling Bilton "a wonderful man." Other messages of support included "Best news ever. So happy for you all" and "Fantastic news."
Bilton's career in the culinary world began at age 13, washing dishes. He later trained with celebrity chef Raymond Blanc in France and Italy. By the time of his initial melanoma diagnosis, he had appeared on "Great British Menu" and was pursuing a Michelin star. The melanoma recurrence in 2015 led to an eight-hour surgery to remove a facial lump, half his salivary glands, and lymph nodes. This was followed by six weeks of daily radiotherapy, which he described as a "horrendous" experience that caused mouth ulcers, difficulty swallowing, and a complete loss of taste.
The treatment resulted in significant weight loss, from 15 stone to nine stone, and hair loss. The stage four diagnosis in 2019 meant the cancer had spread to his bones and kidney, and was considered incurable. He made the decision to sell his restaurant, The Spiced Pear, in 2016 to focus on his health.
Melanoma is a dangerous form of skin cancer that develops when skin cells are damaged, often by UV radiation, and the DNA damage is not repaired, leading to mutations. Risk factors include a high number of moles, fair skin, red hair, and a personal or family history of the disease. Treatment can involve surgery, immunotherapy, radiation, or chemotherapy, particularly for stages III and IV where cancer has spread to lymph nodes or other organs. Prevention methods include using sunscreen, avoiding tanning beds, and regular skin examinations.