'Cancer doesn’t have to be a death sentence'
Tim, 36, has revealed he was told the news the day before Movember started, when he had been gearing up to grow a moustache to raise money for charity and raise awareness for men’s health.
‘The day before Movember started, on October 31, I got the call. It was confirmation that I had testicular cancer. I’d gone to see my doctor thinking it was just a normal ache and pain,’ Tim told a UK newspaper.
Having received the all-clear following surgery, Tim now wants to share his experience in the hope it will encourage more men to get tested and be more aware of their health.
Tim, who won the BBC business show in 2005, said that after being told he needed surgery, it was sharing the news with his family that proved emotionally difficult.
'There is a fear of the word,' he said. 'My wife was distraught as her mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer four years ago and my mum was devastated. I am a great believer in being positive. But I wouldn’t have been able to get through it without the strength and support of my family.'
The surgery took place just over two weeks ago, and according to the paper he was back on his feet, hosting the National Apprenticeship Awards three days later.
Now healthy, Tim said: 'All my bodily functions are normal. Cancer doesn’t have to be a death sentence.'