TV star and podcast host was ‘shocked’ when grandson Kitt was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare type of soft tissue sarcoma, in April 2017

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Gyles Brandreth has opened up about his grandson’s diagnosis at just 15 months(Image: ITV)

Gyles Brandreth has revealed his grandson’s cancer diagnosis came as a “shock to the system” because he associated the illness with “something that happens to unlucky middle-aged people”.

The This Morning star and podcast presenter was devastated when Kitt was diagnosed at just 15 months old in April 2017, following the discovery of a pea-sized lump near his abdomen whilst his parents were changing his nappy.

Brandreth’s author daughter, Saethryd, and her Army veteran husband, Mark, were initially reassured by a GP that the lump was probably a cyst or hernia, but subsequent tests confirmed Kitt had rhabdomyosarcoma.

The soft tissue sarcoma affects fewer than 60 children across the UK annually. Kitt underwent treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), receiving chemotherapy that resulted in hair loss, alongside multiple blood and platelet transfusions. He also contracted a bacterial infection that impacted his heart and liver.

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Gyles’ grandson Kitt was just 15 months old when he was diagnosed

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Kitt’s parents, Gyles’ daughter, found a pea-sized lump in his abdomen while changing his nappy

Brandreth said: “Kitt’s diagnosis was a shock to the system. We think of cancer as something that happens to unlucky middle-aged people. You think of breast cancer or prostate cancer and older people, but you don’t think of kids – well, we didn’t. I think we didn’t realise what a long journey it was going to be.

“But I have to say the moment we heard Kitt was going to Great Ormond Street, we felt reassured because of their world-class reputation. There was the sense that whatever needed to be available would be available.”

He described the entire ordeal as “emotional”, explaining: “It’s a case of holding your breath, being patient and trusting in the team, and I have to say the team were matchless at every level, from the consultants right the way through to the nursing staff and everyone else.

“Everyone is there for you. It’s very moving because you never feel alone.” He explained that whilst Kitt’s parents concentrated on his care, his responsibility was being “Grandpa, providing a sense of normality”.

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Kitt was given the all clear in November 2017

He continued: “What they do brilliantly at Great Ormond Street is remember that children are children, so there was a wonderful playroom. Kitt and I would do jigsaws, build things together – I’d build them u,p and he’d help knock them down, and I taught him funny poems.”

Throughout his treatment, Kitt developed a condition called veno-occlusive disease, a potentially fatal complication typically triggered by intensive chemotherapy doses which blocks tiny liver veins and can result in multiple organ failure.

Brandreth explained: “It became clear to us that the science in this area takes a long time to develop. You read things [about new treatments] in the paper and think this sounds exciting, but when you speak to the doctors, they aren’t available yet.”

Across recent decades, there have been remarkable breakthroughs, such as CAR T-cell therapy being administered to children, which was developed at GOSH. GOSH Charity – which offers complimentary lodging for families near the hospital to remain close to their youngsters, a multi-faith chaplaincy service to provide spiritual comfort, and a specialist Play team – has stated that greater efforts are required to discover gentler cancer treatments for children, with many childhood cancers still being tackled using medications created in the 1970s.

Kitt, now 10 and residing overseas with his parents and sibling Rory, 19, received the all-clear in November 2017 and was permitted to ring the end-of-treatment bell at the hospital. He has remained cancer-free for eight years and undergoes annual examinations at GOSH.

Brandreth is backing GOSH Charity’s campaign to help construct a world-class Children’s Cancer Centre in advance of World Cancer Day on Wednesday.