Comedian Fred MacAulay reveals cancer diagnosis

He told The Courier: "I'm putting my trust in my doctors, and comforting myself in the knowledge that I've been diagnosed very early which means I should have the best chance for a good outcome."

Macaulay's father, who was also called Fred, died at the age of 73 in 2002 after years of battling prostate cancer and mesothelioma.

He said: "It was the mesothelioma which got Dad in the end, he worked on the railways and was exposed to asbestos and all kinds of nasty stuff before he became a policeman until he retired.

"But when my brother Duncan, who is 72 now, was diagnosed with prostate cancer eight years ago, I thought it was about time I took the hint and got checked out.

"I'm lucky enough to be able to get the incredibly accurate MRI tests which can show things up quickly."

MacAulay - who has been a regular guest on TV comedy shows such as Have I Got News For You and QI - is a long-time campaigner for prostate cancer charities.

He said: "It's always been a scary thing to talk about, but with all the progress in medicine the best thing to do is be aware, get tested and catch it quickly as it gives you the best possible chance of beating it."

In the UK, about one in eight men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime.

It mainly affects men over 50, with the risk increasing with age.

Rates are higher for men with a family history of prostate cancer.