On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, Richard Madeley shared a deeply personal experience with pancreatic cancer during an emotional segment on the ITV morning show, Good Morning Britain. The presenter, alongside co-host Charlotte Hawkins, welcomed Emmerdale actor Tony Audenshaw to discuss his upcoming participation in the London Marathon and his commitment to raising funds for Pancreatic Cancer UK in memory of his late wife, Ruth.
As the conversation unfolded, Richard opened up about the impact of pancreatic cancer in his own life. "I mean, I have to tell you, personally, I've lost a very, very close friend to it, just a few months ago, and another very, very close friend has just been diagnosed with it," he revealed, highlighting the devastating nature of the illness.
Richard's poignant remarks resonated with Tony, who agreed that pancreatic cancer is particularly aggressive. "You're right. All cancers are awful, but pancreatic cancer is especially aggressive, isn't it?" Richard said, emphasizing the urgent need for awareness and research funding.
Tony, who has portrayed Bob Hope on Emmerdale for 25 years, is set to run the marathon on what would have been his 24th wedding anniversary with Ruth, who passed away from pancreatic cancer in April 2017 at the age of 43. Reflecting on his wife's battle with the disease, Tony shared, "Yeah. For a long time, this has been underfunded. It is something that Ruth was upset and angry about that this cancer had been so underfunded." His sentiments echoed a growing concern among advocates that pancreatic cancer research has historically lagged behind other types of cancer.
During the interview, Tony expressed his determination to honor Ruth's memory by raising funds to support new diagnostic tests for pancreatic cancer. He stated, "We need money to go into research, and this breath test is really going to make a massive difference if it goes ahead." This innovative test could potentially save thousands of lives by enabling earlier detection of the disease.
Ruth was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2015, and her journey inspired Tony to become an advocate for increased funding and research in the field. In a touching gesture, she had left a message for Tony, urging him to run for Pancreatic Cancer UK if he ever participated in the London Marathon again. Now, with the marathon set for Sunday, April 27, 2025, Tony is fulfilling that promise.
As the segment concluded, Richard and Charlotte underscored the importance of ongoing dialogue about pancreatic cancer and the need for more resources dedicated to fighting it. Richard's candid sharing of his personal losses and Tony's heartfelt motivations serve as a reminder of the real-life implications of this disease and the critical need for continued advocacy.
Good Morning Britain airs on ITV1 at 6 am on weekdays, delivering the latest news and engaging stories to its viewers. The emotional discussions surrounding pancreatic cancer not only raise awareness but also inspire action and support for those affected by the illness.
