BRITAIN’S Got Talent winner Jon Courtenay has told of his secret skin cancer torment. The comedian, singer and pianist, 48, first noticed a mole on the side of his head in January last year. It was around the time of his audition, where he was hosts Ant and Dec’s Golden Buzzer choice. But Jon did […]
BRITAIN’S Got Talent winner Jon Courtenay has told of his secret skin cancer torment.
The comedian, singer and pianist, 48, first noticed a mole on the side of his head in January last year.
It was around the time of his audition, where he was hosts Ant and Dec’s Golden Buzzer choice.
But Jon did not get it checked by a GP until July — and was diagnosed with melanoma just weeks before his TV win.
Speaking about his ordeal — to encourage others to get checked and to donate to Macmillan Cancer Support — he said: “Mentally it was agonising.”
He had the mole removed in August but he was told it was cancerous ahead of the show’s semi-finals.
He recalled: “The doctor’s face was so serious I thought I only had days to live.
“I was being referred to a specialist immediately because there was a strong possibility it had spead to my lymph nodes.”
An operation was booked straight after the show’s final.
Jon kept smiling through on TV but admitted: “I was in so much fear about the future.
“I had panic attacks. But I was grateful to be busy with BGT.”
Jon, who lives in Manchester with wife Emmah, 44, and sons Nathan, 15, and Alfie, nine, was crowned the winner in October and pocketed £250,000.
He said: “My first thought was, ‘If the worst happens, it’s a big chunk of money for my family’.”
After a delayed op due to Covid, he was then given a dermal skin substitute to patch up his head and went on to film the BGT Christmas special with a Santa hat to cover his wound.
Jon got the all-clear just before Christmas and has since written The Mole Song to help raise cancer awareness.
GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk
