Tony Robinson, the beloved actor who portrayed Baldrick in the iconic BBC comedy Blackadder, has opened up about managing prostate cancer for nearly a decade and a half.
The 79-year-old disclosed that despite living with the condition for "13 or 14 years," he remains in good health and continues to undergo routine monitoring.
"I've been living with prostate cancer for 13 or 14 years now, and it's always been fine, but I do have these checks," Mr Robinson explained during an appearance on A Night In With Sally Lindsay.
The veteran performer undergoes regular MRI scans to track the disease's progression, comparing these medical assessments to the health screenings actors must complete before taking on new productions.
The veteran performer undergoes regular MRI scans to track the disease's progression
|GETTY
Mr Robinson addressed the persistent stigma that prevents many men from seeking prostate examinations, noting that outdated fears continue to deter people from getting tested.
"The problem has always been that blokes think that if they are threatened with prostate cancer, they are going to have the doctor's finger up their bum," he said.
However, the actor revealed he only recently discovered that medical practices have evolved significantly.
"And that kind of used to be true but it's not a very good check because the prostate is just a like a little apricot. I only knew about a year ago that doctors don't use that check anymore," Mr Robinson explained.
Tony Robinson opened up about living with the illness
|A NIGHT IN WITH SALLY LINDSAY
The condition is currently diagnosed through PSA blood tests and MRI scans, with biopsies performed when necessary.
Mr Robinson revealed that his personal lack of awareness about updated testing methods prompted him to take action, reaching out to the prostate society to arrange a day of appearances on local radio stations to spread the message.
"And I thought...well I've always been campaigning for more awareness, if I don't know that, and so many men are so disturbed by that idea, then I wanna get out there," he said.
The actor was emphatic about the importance of overcoming embarrassment when facing such a serious illness.
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Tony Robinson, the beloved actor who portrayed Baldrick
|A NIGHT IN WITH SALLY LINDSAY
"It's such a vile disease. If it really gets going, the idea of being 'Oh I don't want anyone messing there,' it's foolish - it's not being grown up and foolish, it's madness," Mr Robinson stated.
He noted that most patients now receive MRI scans approximately every two years as standard practice.
According to NHS guidance, prostate cancer predominantly affects men over 50 and initially develops on the outer portion of the gland, meaning symptoms often don't manifest until the disease has advanced.
Warning signs include difficulty urinating, weak urine flow, frequent nighttime urination, erectile dysfunction, and unexplained weight loss.
The actor was emphatic about the importance of overcoming embarrassment when facing such a serious illness
|GETTY
Treatment options range from surgery and radiotherapy to hormone therapy and chemotherapy, though some cases may simply require monitoring rather than active intervention.
Reflecting on his celebrated career, Mr Robinson expressed profound gratitude for his decade-long involvement with Blackadder, describing writer Richard Curtis as "the biggest influence on my writing" and calling himself "the luckiest bunny there is."
Support for those affected by prostate cancer is available through Macmillan Cancer Support and Prostate Cancer UK.