Antiques Roadshow star Theo Burrell admits she's 'living life as much as possible' after brain tumour diagnosis

Virgin Radio

28 Mar 2024, 10:54

Antiques Roadshow star Theo Burrell has opened up about her 21-month journey with a brain tumour after being diagnosed with a glioblastoma (GBM) in 2022. 

Doctors had discovered that the Scottish star had a 5cm cancerous tumour after suffering from debilitating migraines and worsening symptoms, and had surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy to control the cancer and its impact on her day-to-day life. 

Since her diagnosis, Theo, whose son Jonah was only one at the time, has made it her mission to bring more awareness to brain tumour research, funding and treatment, with March being Brain Tumour Awareness month. 

Today marks Wear a Hat Day, which is “UK's biggest brain tumour research fundraising event” by Brain Tumour Research, of which Theo is a patron. It aims to raise funds for vital research in the hopes of treating and curing the often incurable condition.

Virginradio.co.uk recently sat down with Theo about her life with a brain tumour and admitted despite the surgery and constant treatments, she often feels “subpar” but is also grabbing life with both hands. 

She explained: “I have headaches all the time and I'm incredibly fatigued, even though my treatment finished a year ago. But I feel very, very grateful to still be well.”

“This tumour is absolutely coming back. The vision of my future has changed completely. I know I'm not going to be an old person, not with how things stand just now. But I've got a lot from becoming a patron for Brain Tumour Research.”

Theo also praised the “emotional support” of being around others going through the same ordeal as part of her work with BTR, and she described being part of that community as giving her a “new purpose.”

She explained: “It's not exactly the club I wanted to join. In fact, it's definitely not the club I wanted to join but I'm just trying to focus on living my life as much as I can whilst I can.”

When asked about guidance for those who are either experiencing life with a brain tumour or watching a loved one go through their own diagnosis, Theo shared that “enjoying life” should become the number one priority. 

“That's hard when you've got a brain tumour, and it's especially hard, I imagine, if you've lost someone to a brain tumour, but if you can, it's about having hope,” she elaborated.  

“Just keep on going, do what you enjoy doing, spend time with your loved ones, all the things that we know already. When you get a diagnosis like this, either for yourself or within the family, I think it really hits home just how important it is to do the things that you love with the people that you love.”

Theo was speaking alongside the widow of The Wanted’s Tom Parker, Kelsey Parker, and she revealed her plans to celebrate Tom’s legacy ahead of the two-year anniversary of his death.