HEARTBROKEN: Jimmy Tarbuck SHARES his H0RR0R as he LEAVES Strictly Come Dancing 2006

As Strictly Come Dancing rolls around yet again for its 23rd season this autumn, we’re reminded of one of its previous contestants’ shock exits from the show. The British comedian and singer Jimmy Tarbuck opened up about living with cancer on Good Morning Britain,sharing that he will “die with it”. He had previously been diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2020 and was recently given the news by doctors that, while he may not die of it, he will most likely die with it.

It’s not the first time we’ve seen a health scare of the sort from the entertainer, as in 2006 he was left with no choice but to pull out of the Strictly Come Dancing competition. At the time, he was 66 years old, with no clue about the health battles ahead of him, and had received a frightening diagnosis, which cut his time on the show short.

After getting the news that he had high blood pressure, the singer was advised to rest, and the medical team would no longer allow him to perform, and so he was met with a swift exit from the show. The BBC put out a statement at the time to say: “Following a doctor’s assessment this week, Jimmy, the doctors and the BBC have come to the decision that for the good of Jimmy’s health he should no longer take part.”

He added: “I will continue to enjoy watching the show and will be there in person on Saturday to see how my fellow contestants are shaping up now their hottest competition is out of the way.”

At the time, Jimmy was also keen to give praise to his dance partner, Flavia Cacace. He commended her patience when she was trying her best to turn him into a “proper” dancer, referring to himself as a “carthorse”.

When explaining his cancer story on the morning chat show, he showed his appreciation for those that took care of me. He said: “They said a nice thing to me at the Marsden. I salute the Marsden and the NHS. They looked after me, and they said, ‘Sit down. How are you feeling?’ I said, ‘I feel great.'”

That was before he received the news that it’s something he will “die with”. As a part of the candid interview, Jimmy highlighted the importance of going to check your prostate, saying, “Boys, go; it is embarrassing, but go.”

While his journey on the dance competition was cut short, the comedian, also known as ‘Tarby’, is somewhat of a British TV legend. Through numerous quiz shows, including Winner Takes All, Full Swing, and Tarby’s Frame Game, he has entertained the masses over the decades he’s spent on our screens.

The TV star was also the host of variety shows from the likes of Live From Her Majesty’s, Live From the Piccadilly and the iconic Live From the Palladium. Not to mention, Jimmy has racked up over 50 years in the comedy game, which earned him an OBE in 1994 as a thank you for his contributions to the entertainment world.