Trisha Goddard has become the first ever Celebrity Big Brother contestant to undergo cancer treatment while in the house.
The talk show legend, 67, has entered the Celebrity Big Brother house as part of a spectacular line-up alongside the likes of Hollywood icon Mickey Rourke, 72, EastEnders star Patsy Palmer, 52, and timeless one-hit wonder Chesney Hawkes, 53.
Trisha was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 but was given the all-clear.
In 2022, however, her cancer returned as stage 4 breast cancer or metastatic cancer, and the esteemed broadcaster confirmed it’s ‘not going away’.
The trail-blazing presenter has revealed she’s been asked to take part in Celebrity Big Brother ‘every single year’ and flat out refused but now she’s determined to show ‘people how you can live successfully with cancer and not be so scared of dying that you become scared of living’.
Trisha and Celebrity Big Brother have timed her stay in the house with precision so she can complete her treatments without disruption.
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‘My oncologist is my biggest cheerleader and is working with the Big Brother team,’ she explained.
‘I’ve got a special therapist who’s happy to work with the medic on the show.
‘My palliative care team – and when I say that word, everybody screams and runs away, but it’s symptom treatment – is working with the team here too.
‘And then when it comes to my treatment, I had one infusion on Monday, so I’ve got to jump on a plane and go straight back to have the next one as soon as the show is over. I’ve got a bag full of meds that I normally have which will be with me in the house.’
Trisha has already put a bet on with her husband that she’ll get pity from other housemates, which is the very last thing she wants from her fellow celebs.
Metro's TV editor Adam Miller says...
A TV legend like Trisha Goddard entering the Celebrity Big Brother house under any circumstances is a landmark moment in itself, but it’s sensational that she’s going to be sharing such a powerful message during her stay while being treated for breast cancer.
Mickey Rourke might have imagined being the natural ‘star’ of the Celebrity Big Brother house, but with Trisha in there I wouldn’t be surprised if she commands more respect and adoration than the Hollywood icon.
The difference between the two of them, though, is she won’t be asking for attention, while he’ll be expecting it.
Trisha has quite rightly stressed that she doesn’t want ‘pity’, and I think she’ll only get total admiration both inside and outside the house. She’s got a huge heart, she’s kind, but also won’t stand for any disrespect to her or her closest allies.
Chris Hughes and Danny Beard are pretty much neck and neck to win Celebrity Big Brother but Trisha could well take that prize from them over the next three weeks.
Celebrity Big Brother odds from Paddy Power
Chris Hughes 7/2
Jack P Shepherd 4/1
Ella Rae Wise 7/1
Patsy Palmer 8/1
Danny Beard 7/1
Donna Preston 8/1
JoJo Siwa 10/1
Trisha Goddard 14/1
Chesney Hawkes 16/1
Angellica Bell 20/1
Mickey Rourke 33/1
Daley Thompson 33/1
Micheal Fabricant 40/1
‘There are general things you just don’t want to hear,’ she said, listing off the contents of her ‘bingo card’ she’s anticipating viewers will be able to tick off.
‘Someone will tell me about a loved one with it. Someone will do the pity thing. Someone will suggest some alternative medicine,’ she joked.
Before entering the house, Trisha had no idea who she’d be spending the next three weeks living with.
There is at least one housemate though, who can be assured she’ll have their back – Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard, 32.
‘If there are LGBTQ or drag stars, I’ll support them,’ she said. ‘I’ve got many friends in the trans and LGBTQ world. I always have done. They’ve voted me pick this and that. I’ve always been involved in the LGBTQ world.’
‘It’s going to be an issue for me if somebody goes for anybody LGBTQ or drag. I will always sit back and watch them deal with it. But naturally, if they needed an ally or someone to talk to, I would be there,’ she continued.
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Trisha became a household name as host of her TV flagship daytime chat show from 1998 to 2004 before moving the programme to Channel 5 until 2010.
Naturally, the US wanted a piece of the action and Trisha launched a US version of the show for NBC, running for two seasons before being cancelled.
In 2024, she made history as the first Black woman to lead Good Morning Britain coverage in its 10-year run.
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Celebrity Big Brother airs at 9pm on ITV.
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