In an unexpected twist of fate, comedian and broadcaster Jon Holmes was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2023. Despite a hectic schedule that left little room for such disruptions, Holmes faced the diagnosis head-on. His journey through treatment was not only intense and surprising but also laced with a peculiar sense of the ridiculous. Holmes quickly realised that men often shy away from discussing the absurdities and indignities of cancer treatment. Determined to break this silence, he decided to share his story—and those of other men who have walked a similar path.
Launching an eight-part series on BBC Radio 4, Jon Holmes Says The C-Word, Holmes invites a stellar lineup of guests to join him in candid conversations about their cancer experiences. The series features comedians Stephen Fry, Mark Steel, Richard Herring, Matt Forde, and Eric Idle; actors Colin McFarlane and Ben Richards; rock star Mike Peters; and journalists Jeremy Langmead, Nick Owen, and Jeremy Bowen.
Holmes comments on the absence of such discussions during his own diagnosis: “If there had been a podcast like this when I was diagnosed – one full of other people’s stories, advice and light moments to illuminate the darkness of the whole sorry process I’d have lapped it up. But there wasn’t, so I spoke to Radio 4, and now there is.”
The series promises to be an unflinching exploration of cancer, tackling topics from diagnostic procedures to treatment side effects with raw honesty and humour. Holmes and his guests will discuss everything from biopsies to penis pumps, aiming to destigmatise these experiences and encourage men to seek regular health checks.
Rhian Roberts, Commissioning Editor for BBC Radio 4, praises Holmes for his openness: “Jon has been so generous in both sharing his own cancer story and also creating a new place for more men to open up and tell theirs. It’s down to earth, full of facts and with as much fun as Jon can muster.”
Jon Holmes Says The C-Word debuts on BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday 9 July at 11pm, with episodes subsequently released weekly on BBC Sounds.
