Search icon

Movies & TV

27th Jun 2018

Father Ted creator Graham Linehan reveals his cancer diagnosis

Alan Loughnane

Graham Linehan

We wish him a speedy recovery…

Father ted co-creator Graham Linehan has revealed that he was recently diagnosed with testicular cancer.

“I got a bit of bad news recently,” the TV writer revealed on social media, “A little touch of the old cancer.

“Luckily, ball cancer is one of the best ones to have (sorry, ladies!) and they got rid of it all pretty quickly, along with a ball.”

He will now undergo a course of chemotherapy to try and ensure that the cancer doesn’t come back.

Linehan thanked everyone for their support so far and said that although he’s not looking forward to the treatment ahead, “it’s better than dying,” and that he’s dealing with the situation.

“So that’s the story,” Linehan said. “I’m hoping I’ll just continue to be the happy-go-lucky, beloved twitter personality you all know, but if there are moments of quiet from me, don’t worry, I’m just dealing with it.

“Ugh, God, people are so nice. You forget sometimes. Thanks, everyone.”

Linehan is currently writing Pope Ted which is a Father Ted musical and will be the real final episode of the hugely successful TV series.

He revealed that the musical is coming along nicely, and at this moment he’s not sure if he’ll have to take a step back from it for a time, but reassured fans that it won’t be a problem, as it’s so close to completion already.

LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge