TV chef Tim Bilton has shared an emotional update 13 years on from his cancer diagnosis. The 54-year-old, who is best known for appearing on BBC's Great British Menu and Channel 5's On The Farm, was diagnosed with melanoma, a type of skin cancer, in March 2013 after his wife Adele spotted an unusual shadow in his eye.
This was when Tim was at the height of his career, preparing to open his second restaurant with the hopes of earning a Michelin star. The cancer returned for the second time in 2015, with the chef revealing it robbed him of his sense of taste. His wife and their sons, Henry and Charlie, remained a constant source of support, especially after he received a third diagnosis. In 2019, doctors discovered that Tim had stage four cancer in his left leg and kidney and he was given just 12 months to live.
Seven years on, Tim has opened up with his followers in a new Instagram post, revealing his body has been "to hell and back" since his first diagnosis.
Tim also shared that his cancer is now "dormant" as he discussed his "cruel" 13-year battle with the disease.
He wrote: "Not really sure how to put this into words or how I really feel to be honest. But I have shared my cancer journey with you, the good, the bad and the ugly…..so I will share today with you.
"It’s been 13 years of what I can only describe as utter bloody rubbish (could use worse words but don’t want to offend anyone). My body has definitely been to hell and back and to be honest I’m not the man I was before my diagnosis."
Explaining how the cancer has physically changed him, Tim said: "I don’t look the same, I don’t talk the same, I can’t eat the things I use to love, my taste buds aren’t what they we’re, my jaw and knee are buggered…..I could go on.
But more importantly I’m still here and have been able to see my boys grow. Cancer has been cruel yes 100% but I can honestly say it’s made me a better man.
"Not sure why I was chosen to still be here today when in 2019 Adele was told to say her goodbyes to me…..we have had some very very dark days but always smiled, laughed, cried and screamed through the storm.
"Thank you to my amazing oncologist who has never given up on me even on the days when my body and mind had. So today we had an emotional phone call to say all my recent scans are clear and my stage 4 cancer is dormant. 13 years on and I have been signed off…. it's over for now."
He added: "Grateful, scared, emotional and not sure what to feel. Huge thank you to Adele for being by my side through it all and Adele’s brother Joe for being by her side. My Boys, Henry & Charlie, thank you for keeping me going and making me proud every single day.
"If you’re reading this there is still hope…. So hope really did carry us through."
Tim's friends and followers raced to share congratulatory messages underneath the post, with his On the Farm co-star Helen Skelton writing: "Wonderful news for a wonderful man."
Another posted: "Best best best news darling man."
Others described it as the "most phenomenal" and "fantastic" news.
Another penned: "Great news Tim! Keep smashing everything like you already have been."
