Jon Holmes Says The C-Word

In 2023, comedian and broadcaster Jon Holmes was diagnosed with prostate cancer - which came as a bit of a surprise because, quite frankly, he was far too busy for all of that nonsense. After a very odd, intense, unexpected, ridiculous year, Jon realised that men don't tend to talk openly about the preposterous indignity of dealing with cancer. So he decided he would, with other men who have been through it.

Jon is joined by comedians Stephen Fry, Mark Steel, Richard Herring, Matt Forde, and Eric Idle, plus actors Colin McFarlane and Ben Richards, rock star and The Alarm frontman Mike Peters, and journalists Jeremy Langmead, Nick Owen and Jeremy Bowen as they share their own personal experiences of undergoing cancer treatment.

Jon and his guests demystify all things cancer in raw, honest, difficult, often absurd and - yes - funny detail, from fingers up the bum to blood tests via biopsies, surgery, catheters, stomas, feeding tubes, penis pumps (no, really) and incontinence pads.

Jon seeks to stop the stigma and embarrassment associated with these issues, to raise awareness and encourage listeners to 'get checked' as he aims to remove the fear from the whole diagnosis and treatment process in an accessible and entertaining way. Aiming to humanise what is often a completely de-humanising process paved with unexpected moments, Jon Holmes Says The C-Word maintains that retaining a sense of humour is all important.

Throughout the series, Jon also encourages listeners to get involved and share their own experiences, whether it's something they have been through themselves or if they are supporting someone with cancer.