‘It’s helping me to cope with the diagnosis’

Hosts of BBC Breakfast Sally Nugent and Jon Kay shared an emotional update after guest Ian Teasdale had been diagnosed with incurable cancer.

Despite the heartbreaking news, Ian aims to raise as much money as he can to “support other people with cancer”.

Jon and Sally shared an update on Ian’s cancer journey (Credit: BBC)

BBC Breakfast share emotional cancer update

Sally Nugent informed viewers: “Now, after being diagnosed with incurable cancer three years ago, Ian Teasdale made it his mission to climb all 214 Wainwright fells in the Lake District as part of a project he is calling Terminal Hillness.”

Co-host Jon Kay added: “Yeah, with his wife Catherine by his side, Ian has already raised nearly £10,000 to support other people with cancer, and the couple have been telling us why they decided to take on such a mammoth challenge.”

The show then cut to a VT where Ian discussed his diagnosis and Terminal Hillness project.

“The key thing about cancer, I say it throws you upside down, and the key thing to realise is that it doesn’t change who you are fundamentally,” he said.

“I’m still me, but with C, and the real me likes going up mountains, so why shouldn’t I continue to do it?

“We were going down to Cheltenham, where my wife’s parents live, and I just needed to talk to somebody. I was aware that there was this charity called Maggie’s that runs support centres, and there was one in Cheltenham, so we gave them a ring.”

Ian explained the call was about “what was required” and “set me on the road to healing inside”. He said it “felt like a warm hug from somebody who understood”.

Ian has already raised 10k for cancer (Credit: BBC)

‘Everything seems rich and intense’

“One day I thought, ‘Yeah, let’s get Maggie’s to Cumbria, let’s have a permanent cancer support base in Cumbria and maybe I should raise some money as well,’” he continued.

Ian insisted there is “an intensity when you know that you have a terminal illness”. He said that “everything seems beautiful”, adding: “Everything seems rich and intense.”

“The project has become a really important part of my life. It’s reframed by cancer, so it’s helping me to cope with the diagnosis. Everybody is different and everybody has different things, but for me, this really, really helps,” he continued.

Following the segment, Sally stated: “Amazing.” Meanwhile, Jon shared: “That smile on his face.”