Father Ted creator Graham Linehan. Schreibvieh/WikiCommons
Graham Linehan, the beloved creator of The IT Crowd and Father Ted, has spoken of his testicular cancer treatment.
Irish writer Graham Linehan is known for extending his excellent writing from his scripts to his humorous Twitter page and so it was here on Wednesday that the Father Ted creator decided to announce that he has testicular cancer and is currently undergoing treatment.
I got a bit of bad news recently. 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. Bye, ball! I'll never forget the good times!
— Graham “I didnt say that, though” Linehan (@Glinner) June 27, 2018
Next up is a course of chemo to make sure it doesn't come back. Not looking forward to that, obviously, but it's better than dying.
— Graham “I didnt say that, though” Linehan (@Glinner) June 27, 2018
On Thursday, however, Linehan returned to Twitter to reveal he'd been given the all clear and would no longer have to undergo chemotherapy.
Well, holy shit. I just saw my oncologist. Everything’s clear. No chemo! Can’t believe it! NO CHEMO! Have been organising my life around the idea that the next three months were just *gone*! pic.twitter.com/lMRPHZOkIp
— Graham “I didnt say that, though” Linehan (@Glinner) June 28, 2018
Now living in England for several years, The IT Crowd writer used his characteristic good humor and kindness to make the announcement, revealing that he has had an operation to remove the cancer cells and thought that he would now be undergoing chemotherapy.
Currently in the middle of putting together “Pope Ted,” Linehan had been forced to cancel some events in Australia stating that he hoped to make it back there next year, thinking he was looking at three months of treatment ahead of him.
Read more: "Careful Now" Father Ted to become musical called "Pope Ted"
‘Pope Ted’ is coming along nicely. It’s really making us laugh. I’m not sure whether I’ll have to stop working on it or what, but the script (sorry, ‘book’) is so close to being done that I can walk away from it for a while and we’re still in good shape.
— Graham “I didnt say that, though” Linehan (@Glinner) June 27, 2018
So that’s the story. 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.
— Graham “I didnt say that, though” Linehan (@Glinner) June 27, 2018
Ugh, God, people are so nice. You forget sometimes. Thanks, everyone.
— Graham “I didnt say that, though” Linehan (@Glinner) June 27, 2018
Wednesday's announcement was met with an outpouring of love from his fans around the world, who include several other well-known Irish faces.
Ah, it did its job, and now you will be sleeker through water. Best of luck, hope you’re well.
— Dara Ó Briain (@daraobriain) June 27, 2018
Here’s to a swift recovery 👍 pic.twitter.com/0BzPzZ9KlN
— Jonny Nelson (@fulljonnynelson) June 27, 2018
Speaking for the ladies here, we prefer you to your ball. Sending you all the luck and health xx
— Hadley Freeman (@HadleyFreeman) June 27, 2018
We're delighted to hear you got the all clear, Graham!